Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the effect of verteporfin PDT in combination with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in patients suffering from choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Methods: :
In this prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series patients (n=307) with all lesion types from 0 – 100% classic were treated with verteporfin therapy according to standard protocol followed by purified and alcohol–free TA administered intravitreally 16 hours after verteporfin therapy. The diagnosis and active leakage were confirmed by fluorescein angiography (FA).
Results: :
A total of 307 eyes with CNV due to AMD and other causes (n=18) were included in this case series. The lesion location was subfoveal in 76.2%, juxtafoveal in 12.1% and extrafoveal in 11.7%. Fourty eyes were non–responders to previous standard PDT. The mean follow up was 66.8 weeks. The mean lesion size was 3454 µm. Mean visual acuity at baseline was 20/125. An improvement in visual acuity (VA) of 1.02 lines (P<0.01) was observed comparing the last visit VA with baseline VA. Patients received a mean of 1.27 treatments to achieve persistent inactivation of the CNV. A transient increase in intraocular pressure was observed in 28.6% of the patients and was controlled by topical or systemic medication. 3.25% of all patients required surgery for persistent increased IOP.
Conclusions: :
Intravitreal administration of triamcinolone in combination with verteporfin therapy leads to an improvement of mean VA in patients suffering from CNV due to different entities. In addition, this treatment regimen is suited for non–responders to standard–PDT. Extended follow up will be reported.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • corticosteroids • photodynamic therapy