title: Combination therapy in exudative age-related macular degeneration: visual outcomes following combined treatment with photodynamic therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure visual outcomes following combined treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-centre, retrospective cohort analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventy-four eyes in 174 patients, representing a consecutive series of all patients with at least 6 months' follow-up after combined treatment with PDT and bevacizumab for exudative AMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each patient was treated with PDT, followed by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab approximately 30 minutes later. The patients were then followed at 8-12-week intervals. The primary outcome of the study was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred seventy-four eyes in 174 patients completed at least 6 months' follow-up, with a mean duration of 10 months. The mean number of treatments was 3.0 for bevacizumab and 1.4 for PDT. After stabilization, the mean treatment-free interval was 193 days, and 52% of the patients did not require postinduction retreatment. Mean VA improved from baseline at 2, 4, and 6 months of follow-up (p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, treatment-naïve patients had more favorable visual outcomes (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective therapy for preserving VA in patients with exudative AMD.
authors.affiliation: Ivey Eye Institute and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Phil L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hooper
authors.forename: Tom G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Sheidow
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab