Reading ability and central visual field after photodynamic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
We examined whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) can prevent severe loss of reading acuity and further depression of the visual field in cases of predominantly classic subfoveal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Sixty eyes of 52 patients underwent biomicroscopy, assessment of reading and distance acuity, 10 degrees static threshold perimetry, distance acuity, and fluorescein angiography at baseline, after 6 weeks, 3 months and then every 3 months after therapy.


RESULTS
After 18 months only 16.7% had lost more than 3 levels of reading acuity, 23.3% had lost less than 3 levels, 6.7% had remained unchanged and 53.3% had gained reading acuity, 18.7% of these more than 3 levels. 81.7% of the eyes lost less than 3 lines of distance acuity. 78.3% did not show any increase of the mean defect in the central visual field.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT can prevent severe loss of distance and reading acuity and further deterioration of the central visual field in about 80% of the eyes. The baseline reading acuity was poor and the patients should be aware of the fact that loss of reading acuity cannot be regained even after successful PDT.
Krebs
Ilse
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Rudolf Foundation Clinic, The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Retinology and Biomicroscopic Surgery, Vienna, Austria. Ilse.Krebs@wienkav.at
Binder
Susanne
S
Stolba
Ulrike
U
Brunner
Simon
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011932:Reading; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin