Abstract:
To evaluate the effectiveness of one session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for predominantly classic CNV secondary to age related macular degeneration.
20 patients discontinued photodynamic therapy after one session on their own accord. These patients were followed up for 12 months following the PDT session. The visual outcome was compared to two groups: a) the 12 month visual outcome of 45 consecutive patients who had the PDT according to TAP criteria and b) to the natural course of the disease at 12 months (data obtained from TAP placebo group of TAP study 1). The number of letters read with ETDRS 2m was measured at initial visit, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months for each patient.
Mean follow–up was 14.1 months. The mean letter score of each group was tabulated. Figure 1 shows that the patients with one session of photodynamic therapy showed the maximum drop in vision following the first session akin to those who have the complete course. However, these patients then tend to stabilise and by the 12– month follow–up, they fair better than the natural course of the disease.
Visual deterioration is usually worse after the first session of photodynamic therapy. However, the 12 months data shows that a single session of photodynamic therapy has a better visual outcome than no treatment in subfoveal predominantly classic CNV secondary to AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • photodynamic therapy • visual acuity