title: Single-session photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of combined single-session photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective interventional case series, patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) underwent PDT followed by 1.25 mg IVB injection. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements were repeated at 6-week intervals and fluorescein angiography was performed after 12 weeks and when considered necessary thereafter. Repeat injections of IVB were performed based on fluorescein angiographic evidence of CNV leakage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen eyes were included in this study. Mean follow-up was 52.4+/-15.2 weeks (range: 26-74 weeks). Initially, mean BCVA was 0.80+/-0.42 logMAR and mean central macular thickness (CMT) was 308+/88 microm. At week 12, BCVA improved to 0.62+/-0.47 logMAR (p=0.006) and CMT reduced to 186+/-53 microm (p=0.003). Corresponding results were 0.53+/-0.52 logMAR (p=0.02) and 193+/-78 microm (p=0.002) after 24 weeks. A second IVB injection was performed in 13 eyes with a mean interval of 16.3+/-5.9 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination therapy with single-session PDT and IVB can improve vision and reduce CMT in neovascular AMD. Repeat IVB injections may maintain the visual gain from the initial combination therapy.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Research Center of Shaheed Beheshti Medical University, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. hahmadieh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmadieh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Taei
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soheilian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riazi-Esfahani
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahadi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019233:Retreatment; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077362:Verteporfin; D000068258:Bevacizumab