Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine early visual acuity outcomes after beginning Macugen therapy as a salvage treatment for subfoveal CNV in AMD patients.
Methods: :
A retrospective chart review of visual acuity outcomes of AMD patients who underwent Macugen salvage therapy (prior treament of CNV or chronic PED) for subfoveal CNV by one physician. All patients underwent the same intravitreal injection technique and were positioned supine for 25 minutes post–injection. Patients with at least three months follow–up were eligible for inclusion.
Results: :
There were 13 patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD that received Macugen as a salvage therapy. Patient ranged in age from 72 to 86 years old. Prior treatments included PDT in five patients, radiation therapy in one patient and systemic retinoid therapy in another patient. Six other patients had a history of chronic PEDs with CNV. Baseline visual acuity ranged from 20/ 50 to counts fingers. Visual acuity was within two lines of baseline in 9/13 (69%) eyes at 6 weeks, 7/13 (54%) eyes at 12 weeks and 5/12 (42%) eyes at 18 weeks. Visual acuity was decreased two or more lines in 1/13 (8%) eyes at 6 and 12 weeks and 2/12 (17 %) eyes at 18 weeks. Visual acuity was increased 3 or more lines in 0/13 eyes at 6 weeks, 2/13 (15 %) eyes at 12 weeks and 3/12 (25 %) eyes at 18 weeks.
Conclusions: :
Following initiation of Macugen therapy in this group of patients, visual acuity usually stayed within two lines of baseline and loss of vision was uncommon by 18 weeks. There was a trend for visual acuity improvement to occur with longer duration of therapy.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • age-related macular degeneration