title: Comparative study of photodynamic therapy monotherapy versus triple management in age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and PDT combined with intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition (anti-VEGF) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty eyes of 80 patients diagnosed with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by AMD were included in the study. PDT was carried out on 40 eyes in group I, and PDT combined with 4 mg IVTA and anti-VEGF (1.25 mg bevacizumab in 20 eyes, 0.3 mg pegaptanib sodium in 20 eyes) was carried out in group II. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline visual acuity at month 12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up was 14.2 ± 2.18 months in group I and 12.45 ± 2.82 months in group II. In group I there was a 2.88 logMAR line decrease and 1.95 logMAR line increase in group II in vision between pretreatment and 12th month measurements (P < 0.05). Mean PDT session was 2.00 in group I and the mean combined treatment session was 1.15 in group II in the 12th month.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination of IVTA and anti-VEGF with PDT is more effective and safer than PDT monotherapy in the treatment of CNV secondary to AMD. Combination treatment decreases the frequency and number of treatment sessions for an improved visual prognosis.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selım
authors.forename: Nilüfer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aslankara
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaynak
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014221:Triamcinolone; C495058:pegaptanib; D000068258:Bevacizumab