May 2003
Volume 44, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2003
A Comparison of Shorter Treatment Intervals versus the Standard Regimen in Photodynamic Therapy: An Interims-analysis after 6 Months
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • U.M. Schmidt-Erfurth
    Ophthalmology, University Eye Hosp Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
  • S. Michels
    Ophthalmology, University Eye Hosp Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
  • A. Beckendorf
    Ophthalmology, University Eye Hosp Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
  • C. Kusserow
    Ophthalmology, University Eye Hosp Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
  • DFG Study Group
    Ophthalmology, University Eye Hosp Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  U.M. Schmidt-Erfurth, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School P; S. Michels, None; A. Beckendorf, None; C. Kusserow, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  DFG grant: Schm 836/2-1
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2003, Vol.44, 1102. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      U.M. Schmidt-Erfurth, S. Michels, A. Beckendorf, C. Kusserow, DFG Study Group; A Comparison of Shorter Treatment Intervals versus the Standard Regimen in Photodynamic Therapy: An Interims-analysis after 6 Months . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003;44(13):1102.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:To evaluate the potential of earlier treatment intervals to reduce the risk of visual loss in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) receiving photodynamic therapy. Methods:A prospective, randomized, masked, multi-center phase 3B trial was performed in patients with subfoveal CNV and a predominantly classic component due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 200 patients were evaluated by a central angiographic reading center and randomized only after the presence of a predominantly classic lesion type was confirmed in each participant. Patients were randomized 1:1 into two arms: Group A received verteporfin therapy at 2 month-intervals, group B was retreated according to the standard protocol of 3 months during a 6 month follow-up. Treatment indication, parameters and angiographic retreatment criteria within the two arms were similar to the TAP ( Treatment of AMD with PDT) regimen. Visual acuity was measured using the ETDRS protocol, lesion size was documented based on the greatest linear diameter (GLD). Results:All patients in both groups met the inclusion criteria. Patients in group A had a mean age of 72.7 years, in group B of 75.1 years. The mean visual acuity at baseline was balanced between both groups with a mean letter score of 51.3 (A) and 51.2 letters (B) corresponding to a Snellen equivalent of 20/100. Baseline GLD was 1782 +/-503 µm in group A and 2213 +/-554 µm in group B (not statistically significant different). At the 6 month follow-up visit, mean visual acuity decreased by 1.2 lines (6 letters) to 20/126 (45.5 letters) in group A and by 1.4 lines (8 letters) to 20/160 (43 letters) in group B. This difference did not demonstrate statistical significance. The mean GLD in group A increased by 627 µm to 2409 +/-456 µm and by 471 µm to 2684 +/-362 µm in group B which was statistically not significant. Subgroup analysis revealed an increased benefit of treatment in eyes with a GLD 2000 µm in the same group Conclusions: Based on this interims-analysis at 6-month follow-up, shorter treatment intervals of 2 months did not demonstrate any advantage compared to the standard protocol recommending 3 month intervals. No statistically significant difference was found in respect to change in mean visual acuity, mean visual loss or lesion size. A smaller initial lesion size was associated with an improved visual outcome.

Keywords: photodynamic therapy • age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×