Natural history of minimally classic subfoveal choroidal neovascular lesions in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration with photodynamic therapy (TAP) investigation: outcomes potentially relevant to management--TAP report No. 6.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is a rationale for monitoring patients with age-related macular degeneration who have a minimally classic subfoveal choroidal neovascular lesion and do not receive treatment at initial examination.


METHODS
Participants assigned to placebo who had a minimally classic lesion composition at baseline were identified from the TAP Investigation. Fluorescein angiograms at baseline and follow-up examinations from these participants were reviewed by photograph reading center graders to determine if any follow-up angiograms had converted from a minimally classic lesion composition to a predominantly classic lesion composition.


METHODS
Proportion of minimally classic lesions at baseline that converted to a predominantly classic lesion composition, time of this conversion, and visual acuity and lesion size at the time of conversion.


RESULTS
Of the 207 patients assigned to placebo in the TAP Investigation, 98 were judged to have a minimally classic lesion at baseline in the study eye when the fluorescein angiograms were reviewed in 2001. Of these 98 patients, 39 (40%) had lesions that converted to a predominantly classic lesion composition, including 21 by the month 3 examination. At the time of conversion, 32 (82%) lesions were no greater than 9 disc areas, including 20 (51%) with visual acuity of 20/200 or better.


CONCLUSIONS
These data would suggest that patients with minimally classic lesions, in whom no therapy is recommended initially, should be monitored so that potential conversion to a predominantly classic lesion can be identified promptly and verteporfin therapy considered.
Bressler
Susan B
SB
Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 20205-2002, USA. nmboffice@jhmi.edu
Pieramici
Dante J
DJ
Koester
John M
JM
Bressler
Neil M
NM
D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin