Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) on polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) non-responding to intravitreal ranibizumab.
Methods:
PCV patients who were initially treated with three monthly injections of ranibizumab were retrospectively surveyed. Non-responders were defined as patients having no reduction of intra/subretinal fluid after 3 consecutive injections, and were treated with reduced-fluence PDT.
Results:
Of 104 eyes, twenty two (21.2%) eyes were non-responders. Sixteen eyes of the non-responders received reduced PDT. Nine eyes achieved a complete resolution of fluid, and six had reduced but remaining fluids. One had sustained fluids at 6 months, even after undergoing an additional anti-VEGF injection after reduced PDT. The mean macular thickness was reduced significantly at 3 and 6 months, but the mean visual acuity was worse than baseline.
Conclusions:
Reduced-fluence PDT in non-responders resulted in fluid reduction gradually for several months, but did not maintain visual acuity.
Keywords: 647 photodynamic therapy •
453 choroid: neovascularization