title: Time-course and characteristic morphology of retinal changes following combination of verteporfin therapy and intravitreal triamcinolone in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify characteristic morphological changes of the retina over time and the association with visual function after combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, 40 patients (40 eyes) were treated with PDT and same-day IVTA. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA) and evaluation of distance visual acuity (VA) were performed. The anatomical changes within intra- and subretinal compartments and their detailed analysis and grading were the main outcome measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) by OCT decreased until 3 months (p < 0.01). At month 3, intraretinal cystoid spaces (ICS) had resolved or decreased in 84% of eyes, SRF in 58% and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in 50%. Mean best-corrected VA (BCVA) improved significantly at month 1 (p < 0.01). Mean central retinal thickness (CRT) increased from 334 microm at baseline to 439 microm at day 1 (p = 0.03) before decreasing to 286 microm at day 7 (p = 0.06), 233 microm at month 1 (p = 0.001) and 255 microm at month 3 (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined verteporfin/IVTA therapy induces distinct time-related effects on the retina within the different intra- and subretinal compartments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Shilla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lie
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aue
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sacu
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simader
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Polak
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt-Erfurth
mesh_terms: D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide