Cyclooxygenase inhibitor improved an exudative lesion of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case in which a nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor improved an exudative lesion in age-related macular degeneration.

RESULTS

A 64-year-old man had a complaint of metamorphopsia in the left eye. Visual acuity was 0.5 in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine angiography showed juxtafoveal occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the left eye, and pegaptanib sodium 0.3 mg was administered once every 6 weeks. After 4 months, visual acuity improved to 0.8. After 8 months follow-up, optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed subretinal fluid (SRF) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) irregularity. Visual acuity was 0.4. We recommended further pegaptanib sodium injections, but the patient did not consent to the treatment. Onset of cellulitis of the left toe occurred 1 week before the scheduled visit after 9 months. The patient was treated with loxoprofen sodium (nonselective COX inhibitor) and cefdinir for 7 days. At 2 weeks after onset of cellulitis, SRF had disappeared and OCT showed improvement of RPE irregularity.

CONCLUSIONS

A COX inhibitor had an effect on vascular permeability in CNV and may have improved exudative changes.