Photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate short-term effects of single photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accompanied with choroidal neovascularization (CNV).


METHODS
We analyzed retrospectively the effects of single PDT for 20 patients (20 eyes) with CNV caused by AMD. Corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiography (FA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT) were examined before and after PDT. All patients were followed up at least 3 months.


RESULTS
At the end of 3-month follow-up, 5 eyes had vision progress, 15 eyes had vision stable and no eye had vision deterioration. Fluorescein angiography one week post PDT showed cessation of fluorescein leakage in 8 eyes with predominant classic CNV, and reduction of fluorescein leakage in 12 eyes with minimal classic CNV or occult CNV without classic component. At the 3-month following PDT fluorescein angiography showed fluorescein leakage reappeared in 4 of 8 eyes with predominant classic CNV. Among 12 eyes with minimal classic CNV or occult CNV without classic component, 9 eyes showed decreased or unchanged fluorescein leakage, 3 eyes had a progression of fluorescein leakage. Optic coherence tomography showed obvious recovery of serous sensory retinal detachment after PDT.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT may occlude or inhibit CNV caused by AMD in short-term. No obvious side effects were noticed.
Jin
Chenjin
C
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Ge
Jian
J
Zhou
Shaobo
S
Chen
Huiyi
H
Zhong
Xiaojing
X
Jiang
Ruzhang
R
Chen
Lingyan
L
Chen
Lirong
L
D000368:Aged; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D000077362:Verteporfin
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D019793:Fluorescein