Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: This is a prospective cohort study to assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the management of patients with choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM's) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods: All patients that have undergone treatment with PDT for CNVM's since August 2000 at a tertiary care retina clinic are being followed. The best corrected visual acuity is determined using the Snellen Chart prior to each treatment and at three month intervals, at which time a decision is made as to whether re-treatment is necessary. Results: 143 eyes have currently undergone a mean 1.65 (95%CI=+/-0.13) treatments with a 7.19 (95%CI=+/-0.52) month follow-up. 32 (22.4%) eyes experienced a mean improvement of 1.66 (95%CI=+/-0.43) lines of vision, 57 (39.9%) eyes experienced no change in vision, and 54 (37.7%) eyes experienced a mean loss of 1.94 (95%CI=+/-0.43) lines of vision. 8 (5.6%) patients lost from 3 to 5 lines of vision and 3 (2.1%) patients lost 6 or more lines of vision on the Snellen Chart. Conclusion: The majority of patients (62%) undergoing PDT for CNVM's secondary to ARMD experienced an improvement or stabilization of vision for the follow-up period.
Keywords: 516 photodynamic therapy • 308 age-related macular degeneration • 346 choroid: neovascularization