Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of ocular photodynamic therapy (PDT) and combined PDT-intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in the treatment of subretinal neovascular membrane (SRNM) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in terms of visual acu-ity changes and retreatment rates.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 64 eyes of 51 patients with SRNM due to age related macular degeneration (AMD) were treated with PDT alone (1 st group, n=44) or combined PDT- 4 mg IVTA (2nd group, n=20). Functional outcome was evaluated by comparing visual acuitiy in both groups. LogMAR visual acuity was used for statistical analysis. Retreatment rates were also evaluated.
Results:
The mean age was 72 years (range 52 to 85 years), and the mean follow-up period was 8.5 months (range 3 to 27 months). Of 64 eyes, 27 (42%) were classified as classic, 34 (53%) as occult and 3 (5%) as minimally classic. In 1 st group no significant change was noted between initial (1.04 ± 0.09, mean ± SEM) and final (1.05 ± 0.07) logMAR visual acuity (P= 0.80). Likewise, initial visual acuity (0.98 ± 0.08) did not improve in the 2nd group in last exa-mination (1.05 ± 0.15, P=0.60). Average PDT rate was 1.9 ± 0.1 in the 1st group, 1.4 ± 0.1 in the 2nd group (P=0.01).
Conclusion:
Visual outcomes of PDT and combined PDT-IVTA in the treatment of SRNM were found similar at a mean follow up of 8.5 months. However, it should be kept in mind that retreatement rate is less in combined group.
Keywords: Photodynamic therapy, intravitreal triamcinolone, subretinal choroidal neovascular membrane, age-related macular degeneration