Treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age related macular degeneration with single treatment of verteporfin photodynamic therapy: a safety and short-term outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short-term efficacy on visual outcome and safety of a single treatment of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin using the standard dosage regimen in patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from age related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Prospective, noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Chulalongkorn University and Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.


METHODS
Patients with subfoveal CNV caused by age related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Standardized protocol refraction, visual acuity testing, complete ophthalmic examination, color photography, and fluorescein angiography were used to evaluate the effects of a single treatment of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Follow-up was planned through 3 months in all patients.


RESULTS
A total of 39 eyes from 35 patients enrolled into the present study and have completed 3 months follow-up. The mean +/- SD logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.76 +/- 0.48, equivalent to the Snellen BCVA of 20/114 (range, 20/40 to 20/1000). The mean +/- SD logMAR BCVA at the final 3-month visit was 0.55 +/- 0.37, which was a Snellen equivalent of 20/70 (range, 20/30 to 20/1000). The mean line of BCVA improvement was 2.1 lines. The improvement in BCVA at the 3-month follow-up was statistically significant (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P = .043). No patient suffered moderate loss of vision or a loss of vision in 2 or more lines. None of the patients suffered severe visual threatening adverse events at the time of treatment and during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of short-term visual outcome is encouraging; PDT is the least invasive treatment method currently available to achieve a stable or improved vision in AMD patients. PDT with verteporfin can lead to cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV for up to 3 months, with stabilization or improvement of vision for 12 weeks. A randomized, controlled study in the near future would be beneficial to demonstrate the long-term results and efficacy in the treatment of CNV associated with AMD.
Tayanithi
Pakitti
P
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Pisankosakul
Petch
P
Laksakapuk
Prasart
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077362:Verteporfin
D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin