Development of Early Choroidal Neovascular Membrane in a Young Myope after Lasik

Abstract

Purpose

To describe development of early choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in a young myopic patient with initial differential diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) that was successfully managed by photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods

A retrospective interventional case report.

Results

A 20-year-old woman with myopic astigmatism underwent an uneventful LASIK surgery resulting in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 bilaterally. One week later, the patient presented with decreased VA in the right eye and was diagnosed initially by her referring ophthalmologist with CSCR, and was treated by systemic corticosteroids without any improvement. Two weeks following LASIK, the patient's VA was found to be 20/200 and clinical evidence of early CNVM was confirmed by fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). PDT resulted in regression of her CNVM with improvement in her VA and OCT findings.

Conclusions

LASIK-induced early CNVM may be misdiagnosed as CSCR. PDT may be effective in the resolution of LASIK-induced early CNVM. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2007; 17: 262–5)