Intravitreal pegaptanib sodium for Irvine-Gass syndrome

PURPOSE. To report the novel use of intravitreal pegaptanib sodium for the treatment of refractory cystoid macular edema (CME) following cataract extraction. METHODS. A 72-year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity in his right eye 8 months after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/125 in the affected eye, and fundus examination revealed CME despite 6 months of oral and topical indomethacin therapy. Fluorescein angiography ( FA) showed leakage in the central region with no signs of neovascularization, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed the diagnosis with thickening of the fovea. Because of his history of glaucoma, the patient chose to be treated with intravitreal pegaptanib sodium 0.3 mg. RESULTS. At the 1-week follow-up, BCVA was 20/25, and the FA and OCT revealed almost total resolution of the CME with no adverse sequelae. Six months postinjection, the patient's BCVA remained 20/25 with no recurrence of CME. Perimetry revealed a stable fixation within 4 with slight reduction of sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS. Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition with intravitreal pegaptanib sodium appears to be of benefit in the treatment of chronic refractory CME with improvement of visual acuity. Studies evaluating pegaptanib's use in this setting with long-term follow-up are warranted to confirm its efficacy and safety.