title: Combined argon laser photocoagulation and antivascular endothelial growth factor for management of macular polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy of argon laser photocoagulation and intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection in idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) involving macula.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective interventional study involving 12 eyes of 11 patients diagnosed with PCV involving the macula on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Intravitreal anti-VEGF was given in eyes with significant subretinal/sub retinal pigment epithelium hemorrhage or exudation. ICGA-guided focal laser was done to extrafoveal leaking polyps. Mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and regression of polyp as seen on ICGA were evaluated at the final follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was done using SPSS 17.0. - Mann-Whitney test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  12 eyes of 11 patients underwent argon laser with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. Ten patients were males and one female. Mean age was 65.75 ± 5.2 years. The mean number of injections given was 3.66 ± 1.5 (2-6) per eye. Mean number of laser sessions required was 1.33 ± 0.65 (1-3) per eye. BCVA improved in 25% (n= 3), remained stable in stable in 50% (n= 6) eyes, and decreased in 25% (n= 3) eyes. The regression of polypoidal lesions on ICGA was seen in 75% (n= 9) of eyes. Persistent subretinal fluid seen in 25% (n= 3) of eyes. The mean duration of follow-up was 15.41 ± 10.27 (3-36) months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined argon laser photocoagulation with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection helps in decreasing exudation and results in stabilization of the disease with visual improvement in eyes with PCV involving macula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreoretina, Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Parveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreoretina, Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinay Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreoretina, Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Muna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhende
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreoretina, Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sharma
keywords: Antivascular endothelial growth factor; argon laser photocoagulation; combined treatment; polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy