UCLA

Purpose

To determine whether thalidomide therapy can prevent a recurrence of a choroidal neovascular membrane in a patient with punctate inner choroidopathy.

Methods

Case report. In a 38-year-old woman with bilateral punctate inner choroidopathy, thalidomide therapy was initiated three days after laser photocoagulation of a choroidal neovascular membrane.

Results

The patient had a recurrence of the choroidal neovascular membrane eight months after the start of thalidomide therapy.

Conclusions

The failure of thalidomide to prevent a recurrence of a choroidal neovascular membrane in this patient suggests that this medication may have only a limited benefit in preventing recurrences of choroidal neovascular membranes.