[Reading ability after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and for high myopia].
BACKGROUND
A prospective uncontrolled follow-up of changes in reading ability after PDT with Verteporfin in patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to AMD or high myopia was carried out.


METHODS
A follow-up time of at least 6 months is documented for 48 patients with AMD and for 22 patients with high myopia. In addition to the usual clinical parameters the need for magnification was measured using standardized reading charts provided by the SZB.A need for magnification higher than 3.2-fold was defined as a severe loss in reading ability.PDT's were repeated every 3 months according to the usual guidelines.


RESULTS
Before treatment, the mean reading acuity for patients with AMD was between 20/200 and 20/100. The average need for magnification was between 2.5-fold and 3.2-fold.Reading acuity, need for magnification and the percentage of patients with a need for magnification of 3.2-fold or less remained stable over a 6-12 months follow-up period. High myopic patients initially had a mean reading acuity of 20/200 and a need for magnification of 2.5-fold. After 9 months follow-up, reading acuity showed a mean improvement from 0.2 up to 0.3 ( p<0.05). There was also a trend towards improvement in the need for magnification and the percentage of patients with a need for magnification of 3.2-fold or less improved significantly from 68% to 78% ( p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Reading ability could be stabilized with PDT for predominantly classic subfoveal CNV in patients with high myopia or AMD for at least 9-12 months. The risk of developing a severe loss in reading ability (need for magnification >3.2-fold) was significantly reduced in high myopia and was stable over time in AMD.
Thölen
A M
AM
Augenklinik Stadtspital Triemli Zürich, Switzerland. heidy.thoelen@triemli.stzh.ch
Bernasconi
P P
PP
Fierz
A B
AB
Messmer
E P
EP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006414:Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011932:Reading; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin