Abstract
Purpose :
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an experimental treatment for age related macular degeneration (AMD). Studies have reported changes in anatomy, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and quality of life with disparate results. This study aims to compare vision-related quality of life and BCVA before and after PBM therapy in patients with non exudative age-related macular degeneration.
Methods :
We performed an experimental before-and-after study without a control group among consecutive patients that visited an ophthalmologic private clinic specialized in retina in Buenos Aires City between March 2021 and June 2022. Inclusion criteria were patients older than 60 years; diagnosed with stage II to IV non exudative AMD and BCVA ranging from 15 to 85 letters. All patients received a single cycle of nine PBM therapy sessions performed over three weeks, as previously reported. Primary outcome was the quality of life related to vision, measured by the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) questionnaire. BCVA was measured at a 4-meter distance with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) standard charts. Descriptive statistics was reported according to the distribution of the variables. Visual acuity and VFQ-25 were compared among three different groups (without atrophy, extrafoveal atrophy and foveal atrophy). In order to compare before and after intervention outcomes, the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used.
Results :
We evaluated 67 eyes of 43 patients. All patients completed all nine intervention sessions. The mean age was 76 years old (SD 8.26), and 55 eyes (82.1%) were female. The median scores from the VFQ-25 before and after the procedure were 67.5 (IQR, 49.8-83.2), and 69 (IQR, 53.2-81.4), respectively (p=NS). The median BCVA before the procedure was 72 letters (IQR, 60-79) and 73 letters (IQR, 53-82) one week after completing treatment (p=NS). Among patients without a complete retinal pigment epithelium RPE and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) affecting the fovea, BCVA improved from 72 to 84 letters (p=0.02).
Conclusions :
A single cycle of PBM did not significantly improve vision related quality of life, however visual acuity improved in patients with cRORA not involving the fovea. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of PBM for the treatment of non neovascular AMD.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.