title: Comparing ranibizumab monotherapy and combination with single photodynamic therapy in wet AMD: retreatment and morphologic results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate retreatment indications/morphologic responses to ranibizumab monotherapy and combination with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 patients received 3 monthly intravitreal ranibizumab 0.3 mg injections combined with either PDT or sham PDT at baseline (1:1) followed by as-needed ranibizumab based on predetermined vision/anatomical criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retreatment criteria were visual acuity (VA) loss (59%/58%), central retinal thickness (CRT) increase (27%/26%), or both (14%/16%). One month before retreatment, intraretinal cysts (IRC) were present in 84%/74%, subretinal fluid (SRF) in 70%/63%, and at least one of them in 84%/89% of eyes. A significant decrease in mean leakage area, IRC, and SRF as well as a reduction in presence of hemorrhages and hard exudates occurred in both treatment groups at 12 months (compared to baseline).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retreatment indications were mostly based on VA loss, probably due to the quantitative optical coherence tomography criterion. Intraretinal cysts and SRF were earlier predictors for recurring choroidal neovascularization (CNV) activity than CRT/VA changes. Both treatment strategies were equally potent in reducing CNV activity.
authors.affiliation:  Vista Klinik, Binningen - Switzerland.| Department of Ophthalmology, Kantonsspital Liestal, Liestal - Switzerland.| University of Basel, Basel - Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatz
authors.affiliation:  University of Basel, Basel - Switzerland.| University Eye Hospital Basel, Basel - Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation:  University Eye Hospital Basel, Basel - Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Henrich
authors.affiliation:  University Eye Hospital Basel, Basel - Switzerland.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation:  Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sacu
authors.affiliation:  Vista Klinik, Binningen - Switzerland.| Department of Ophthalmology, Kantonsspital Liestal, Liestal - Switzerland.| University of Basel, Basel - Switzerland.| University Eye Hospital Basel, Basel - Switzerland.| Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna - Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prünte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D019233:Retreatment; D058471:Subretinal Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D000077362:Verteporfin; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D057135:Wet Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D000069579:Ranibizumab