title: Regression of drusen after combined treatment using photodynamic therapy with verteporfin and ranibizumab.
abstract: Drusen are the clinical hallmark of age-related macular degeneration. The regression of these deposits in patients treated with argon, krypton, or diode laser photocoagulation has been reported previously. However, previous protocols with conventional laser for drusen may result in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage and unwanted scotomas. The authors report a case of complete regression of soft drusen in a 65-year-old man with central visual loss and metamorphopsia due to a drusenoid RPE detachment and soft drusen who underwent reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) and three monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Reduced-fluence PDT combined with anti-VEGF therapy may reduce drusen without inducing RPE cell damage.
authors.forename: Eduardo Amorim
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Novais
authors.forename: Emmerson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Badaró
authors.forename: Caio Vinicius Saito
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Regatieri
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duker
authors.forename: Pedro Paulo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Bonomo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069579:Ranibizumab; D015593:Retinal Drusen / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077362:Verteporfin; D000069579:Ranibizumab