title: Two-year results of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab for typical age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the 2-year results of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RF-PDT) combined with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for typical age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four previously untreated eyes of 23 AMD patients with decimal best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of less than 0.7 received the combined therapy, followed by retreatments as needed over the subsequent 2 years. When the BCVA was better than or equal to 0.7, only 3 monthly IVR injections were performed during the retreatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BCVAs were maintained in 7 of 10 typical AMD eyes and in 13 of 14 PCV eyes at month 24. The mean BCVA improved in the PCV group (P < 0.05) but not in the typical AMD group. The central foveal thickness decreased in both groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The mean numbers of the total PDT and IVR injections were 1.8 and 7.2 in the typical AMD group and 1.8 and 6.4 in the PCV group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After RF-PDT combined therapy with administration of retreatments as needed that consisted of either 3 IVR injections alone or combined therapy, the BCVA was maintained in typical AMD and improved in PCV during a 2-year follow-up period.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan. m1158667@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors: Yusaku
authors: Y
authors: Yoshida
authors: Takeya
authors: T
authors: Kohno
authors: Manabu
authors: M
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Tasuku
authors: T
authors: Yoneda
authors: Hisashi
authors: H
authors: Iwami
authors: Kunihiko
authors: K
authors: Shiraki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069579:Ranibizumab