Intravitreal Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Butterfly-Shaped Pattern Dystrophy Associated with Choroidal Neovascularization: A Case Report

PURPOSE: To present and document the effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of patients with choroidal neovascularization due to butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy (PD) of the macula. METHODS: Three intravitreal ranibizumab injections of 0.5 mg/0.05 ml in monthly intervals were given to a patient with a previously diagnosed butterfly-shaped PD who subsequently developed subfoveal choroidal neovascularization on the right eye. The patient had previously received a combination of verteporfin/photodynamic therapy for a juxtafoveal choroidal neovascular membrane on the left eye. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment course, there was significant improvement of the patient's vision and the appearance of the macula on optic coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 6/12 to 6/6 and retinal thickness at the macula decreased from 323 to 247 μm. No subretinal fluid remained. The patient is clinically stable over a 12-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal ranibizumab seems to be an effective and safe option for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in patients with butterfly-shaped PD.