title: Three-year results of a modified photodynamic therapy procedure (Ironing PDT) for age-related macular degeneration patients with large lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a modified procedure on exudative age-related macular degeneration having been conventionally difficult to treat.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of eight consecutive patients (eight eyes) with age-related macular degeneration treated with modified PDT were reviewed retrospectively. Modified PDT was used for the lesions that could not be covered by conventional use of PDT, either because the lesion was too large or too close to the optic disc. A moving PDT laser spot at constant speed, for 83 seconds, was used to cover the entire lesion, and was named "Ironing PDT." This retrospective study was performed with informed patient consent. It was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kansai Medical University.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No exudation could be found 36 months after treatment in five eyes (62.5%). There was no significant difference between the best-corrected visual acuity before PDT (0.95 logMAR) and after PDT (1.09 logMAR). The logMAR best-corrected visual acuity was improved in one eye, maintained in five eyes, and deteriorated in two eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ironing PDT decreased subfoveal fluid and preserved visual acuity in some patients with age-related macular degeneration difficult to treat with conventional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Takii Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Otsuji
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sho
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Takii Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsumura
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Takii Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koike
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Takii Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
keywords: AMD; Ironing PDT; PCV; PDT; large lesions; modified PDT