[Interval reduction of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not advantageous. A pilot project].
OBJECTIVE
To find out if carrying out PDT again 6 weeks after initial PDT will improve the results at 3 months.


METHODS
A total of 22 eyes were treated according to the dose regimen proposed by the TAP study.


RESULTS
After the first PDT, the CNV remained permanently closed in 14% of the eyes. Repeating the treatment 6 weeks later did not lead to permanent closure of more CNVs or a diminished size at 3 months. Short-term re-treatment had no substantial effect on the underlying choriocapillaries. Visual acuity did not profit or suffer from early re-treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Shortening of the treatment interval has no serious side-effects, but does not seem to improve the results reported in the TAP study.
Eter
N
N
Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn. eter@uni-bonn.de
Vogel
A
A
Inhetvin-Hutter
C
C
Spitznas
M
M
D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin