年龄相关性黄斑变性和病理性近视合并脉络膜新生血管的比较

目的　比较年龄相关性黄斑变性 (age relatedmacu lardegeneration ,AMD)和病理性近视合并黄斑区典型性脉络膜新生血管 (choroidalneovascularization ,CNV)的临床特点、自然病程和视力预后。方法　对未接受过激光或手术治疗的AMD组 4 1例 5 4眼和近视组 4 0例 4 3眼的临床资料进行回顾性分析研究。AMD组 2 4例 32眼随访 12～ 72月 (中位数36月 ) ;近视组 2 4例 2 7眼随访 13～ 72月 (中位数 5 4月 )。结果　初诊时 2组视力差异无统计意义 (P =0 .5 37) ;均以中心凹下CNV为主 (P =0 .92 5 ) ;AMD组CNV较大 (0 .90±0 5 3)DD ,近视组较小 (0 .5 4± 0 .31)DD(P =0 .0 0 0 1)。末诊时近视组视力较AMD组为好 (P =0 .0 19)。 2组比较 :AMD组以纤维瘢痕为主 (P =0 .0 0 1) ,近视组以色素增殖和萎缩为主 (P =0 .0 0 0 1)。结论　AMD合并黄斑区典型性脉络膜新生血管的直径较大 ,晚期以纤维瘢痕为主 ,自然视力预后差。病理性近视合并黄斑区典型性脉络膜新生血管的直径较小 ,晚期以色素增殖和脉络膜视网膜萎缩为主 ,病程相对自限 ,但自然视力预后也是差的。两者都需要有效的治疗措施。而在治疗病理性近视合并黄斑区典型性脉络膜新生血管时更应强调治疗方法的安全性。     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗老年性黄斑变性的疗效观察

目的 观察经瞳孔温热疗法(transpupillary thermotherapy,TTT)治疗渗出型老年性黄斑变性(age—related macular degeneration，AMD)隐匿型脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularization，CNV)的效果。方法 对28例34眼经眼底荧光血管造影(fundus fluorescein angiography，FFA)及吲哚青绿血管造影(indocyanine green angiography，ICGA)确诊的继发于渗出型AMD的隐匿型CNV行TTT治疗，并主要以视力、眼底检查、FFA及ICGA改变为指标，评价TTT治疗渗出型AMD的效果。结果 随访3～20个月，平均6.65个月，视力提高19眼，视力稳定13眼，视力下降2眼，视网膜水肿基本消退6眼，水肿明显减轻21眼，水肿无明显变化5眼，2眼水肿加重，出血吸收22眼，8眼出血减少，出血无明显变化者2例，另有2眼发生少量新鲜视网膜深层出血，第1次治疗后复查FFA及ICGA，10眼CNV消失，19眼CNV渗漏减轻，3眼无明显变化，2眼CNV增大。结论 TTT治疗可使大部分AMD患者视力稳定或提高，是一种极具潜力的治疗方式，但对其确切疗效的评价。尚需与自然病程及其他治疗方法对比。     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗渗出型老年性黄斑变性合并中心凹下脉络膜新生血管

目的 观察经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)治疗渗出型老年性黄斑变性(AMD)合并中心凹下脉络膜新生血管(CNV)的疗效.方法 回顾分析经TTT治疗的渗出型AMD患者41例44只眼的临床资料.所有患者均经荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)检查确诊.其中,隐匿性CNV24例26只眼,典型性CNV12例12只眼,微小典型性CNV5例5只眼.采用810 nm半导体激光进行TTT治疗.根据病灶大小选择光斑直径范围1.20～3.00 mm,能量范围160～400 mw,时间60 s.治疗次数1～3次.平均治疗1.48次,治疗后随访3～24个月,平均随访10.80个月.末次随访者40例42只眼.分别以治疗后1、3个月及末次随访时视力、眼底、FFA及光相十断层扫描(OCT)检查结果作为患眼视功能及病灶变化的观察指标,对比观察治疗前后视力改变、眼底出血渗出吸收、CNV闭合情况.结果 末次随访的42只眼中,视力不变或提高者35只眼,占83.34%;视力较治疗前减退者7只眼,占16.67%.OCT检查显示,治疗后1、3个月和末次随访时黄斑区渗液者减少率分别为79.50%、86.40%和88.10%.治疗后3个月,所有患眼黄斑容积较治疗前显著减少,差异有统计学意义(t=1.96,P=0.01);但治疗后1个月和末次随访时黄斑容积较治疗前相比,差异无统计学意义(t=1.17,0.92;P=0.19,0.83).FFA检查显示,末次随访时隐匿性、典型性和微小典型性CNV的闭合率分别为79.16%、46.15%和60.00%.仅6只眼渗漏较治疗前增加.其中,典型性CNV 5只眼,微小典型性CNV1只眼.结论 TTT治疗渗出型AMD合并典型性、隐匿型及微小典型性CNV均有一定效果.     

光动力学治疗脉络膜新生血管的临床观察

目的观察光动力学治疗继发于不同病因的黄斑中心凹下或中心凹旁脉络膜新生血管的疗效和安全性。方法回顾16例16眼经荧光血管造影、吲哚青绿造影证实活动性脉络膜新生血管,继发于老年性黄斑变性4眼,病理性近视6眼和中心性渗出性脉络膜视网膜病变6眼。比较PDT治疗前后最佳矫正视力,散瞳前置镜眼底检查以及荧光血管造影和脉络膜血管造影的资料。典型性为主型CNV14眼,轻微典型性CNV1眼,隐匿性CNV1眼。CNV位于黄斑中心凹下12眼,黄斑中心凹旁4眼。光动力学治疗方案参照TAP制定的标准。结果随访时间:1~14个月,平均(5±4.28)个月。1次治疗14眼,重复治疗2次1眼,3次1眼。最终患眼视力提高8眼,保持不变8眼。FFA检查示CNV渗漏停止1眼,渗漏减少10眼,渗漏无明显减少5眼,渗漏面积较治疗前明显缩小(P<0.05)。CNV复发3眼。仅1例在输液时发生光敏剂渗漏,但未发生光敏反应。治疗后视网膜一过性出血增加3眼。结论光动力学治疗为继发于不同病因的黄斑中心凹下或中心凹旁CNV患者提供一种安全有效的治疗选择。部分患者治疗后短时间内复发,PDT治疗CNV的长期疗效有待进一步观察。     

黄斑脉络膜新生血管的PDT与TTT疗效对比观察

目的 比较经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)与光动力疗法(PDT)治疗黄斑脉络膜新生血管的疗效.方法 对比分析渗出性老年黄斑变性(AMD),特发性脉络膜新生血管,病理性近视.眼底血管样条纹继发黄斑CNV97例101只眼治疗后1个月,3个月的矫正视力(BCVA),眼底荧光血管造影(FFA).治疗前均检杏BCVA、FFA、光学相干断层扫描(OCT),部分病例行吲哚青绿脉络膜血管造影(ICGA).其中PDT治疗52例54只眼,,TTT治疗45例47只眼.结果 PDT与TTT治疗后1月、3月矫正视力比较,PDT治疗组提高2行及2行以上与TTT治疗组比较差异无统计学意义(x2=0.27,P＞0.05,x2=0.034,P＞0.05).PDT治疗后1、3月视力提高或不变(稳定)分别有25只眼(46.2%),20只眼(37%),TTT几治疗后1、3月视力提高或不变分别有14只眼(29.8%),16只眼(34%),治疗后1月两组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=3.96,P＜0.05),治疗后3月两组比较差异无统计学意义(x2=1.78,P＞0.05).典型性或典型性为主性CNV PDT与TTT治疗后矫正视力比较,治疗后1、3月PD个组分别有40%,54%,54%,TTT治疗组分别有12.5%,12.5%PD个组视力提高2行或2行以上.两组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=7.57,P＜0.01,x2=4.14,P＜0.05).隐匿性CNVPDT与TTT治疗后矫正视力比较,治疗后1、3个月,PDT与TTT组视力无提高.治疗后1月PDT治疗组视力不变2只眼,TTT组5只眼,两组比较差异无统计学意义(x2=1.67,P＞0.05).治疗后3月两组视力均下降.PDT与TTT治疗后1、3月CNV渗漏比较,治疗后1月PDT治疗组控制或减轻CNV的荧光渗漏要好于TTT治疗组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(x2=6.64,P＜0.05.治疗后3月比较差异无统计学意义(x2=1.2,P＞0.05).结论 PDT对典型性或典型性为主CNV的治疗,随访短期内(1～3个月)在视力、及CNV渗漏方面明显优于TTT治疗.无论PDT或TTT的单一治疗对隐匿性CNV的视力提高作用不大,对于典犁性CNV或隐匿性CNV可以进行PDT与TTT的交叉治疗,但其疗效仍有待长期随访,并进行多样本及设立对照组观察比较.     

氪激光低能量光凝治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性合并脉络膜新生血管患者的临床效果

目的 探讨氪激光低能量光凝治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性(AMD)合并脉络膜新生血管(CNV)患者的疗效。方法 湿性AMD患者17例(17只眼),经荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)或吲哚氰绿血管造影(ICGA)检测,确诊为黄斑中心凹下CNV。患者年龄50—74岁,平均61岁。在黄斑病变区相应视野中心暗点内,应用氪激光行低能量光凝治疗。术后4周CNV仍有活动者再次行光凝治疗。每例患者治疗前和复诊时均检查视力、眼前节、眼底及视野,并行眼底照相和FFA、ICGA检测。患者术后定期随访1-8年,平均3．5年。结果 术后所有患者的治疗眼均未出现即刻视力下降现象,局部出血和渗出明显消退。FFA检测证实CNV关闭或缩小,渗漏减少,其中9例患者随诊3年以上未见复发。术后6只眼视力增进,8只眼视力不变,3只眼视力减退。视野复查见中心暗点无明显变化。结论应用氪激光低能量光凝治疗AMD合并黄斑中心凹下CNV患者具有疗效好、复发者少等优点。(中华眼科杂志,2004,40：808-811）     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性

经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)是近年来应用于脉络膜新生血管(CNV)治疗的一种新方法。本文对12例12眼AMD患者行TTT后的近期疗效作初步分析。     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗老年性黄斑变性中心凹下新生血管

目的探讨经瞳孔温热疗法(transpupillarythermotherapy,TTT)治疗老年性黄斑变性中心凹下新生血管的安全性及疗效。方法应用810nm激光对53例(62眼)经FFA或ICG确诊的AMD黄斑中心凹下CNV进行TTT治疗。每个光斑的照射时间为60s,激光能量为120~150mW/mm光斑直径。以矫正视力、眼底及FFA改变评价疗效。末次治疗后随诊3~15月,平均7.5月。结果末诊时,62眼共接受151次TTT治疗,平均治疗2.4次。视网膜出血完全吸收者46眼(74.19%),大部分吸收者5眼(8.06%),部分吸收者5眼(8.06%),复发性出血者6眼(9.68%)。视力提高者16眼(25.81%),不变者42眼(67.74%),下降者4眼(6.45%);其中视力低于0.1者30眼(48.39%),0.1~0.3者27眼(43.55%),>0.3者5眼(8.06%)。结论TTT是一种安全的治疗AMD黄斑中心凹下CNV的方法,能有效地促进视网膜出血吸收和CNV癍痕化,使大部分患者的视力保持稳定,但对视力的提高作用不明显。     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗病理性近视性脉络膜新生血管的临床观察

目的:观察经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)治疗病理性近视合并中心凹下脉络膜新生血管(CNV)的疗效.方法:采用半导体810nm红外激光对荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)和吲哚青绿血管造影(ICGA)检查确诊的高度近视合并CNV患者15例15眼进行治疗.治疗后每月复查1次,随访1～3 mo.随访时检查视力、眼底出血和渗出吸收、CNV闭合情况.结果:15眼治疗后均无即刻视力下降或其他不适.末诊时与初诊视力相比,73.3%无变化,26.7%增加.所有病灶渗漏减少或消失,出血基本吸收,CNV部分闭塞并纤维化.OCT检查激光后CNV厚度变薄.有3例患者3眼脉络膜萎缩灶扩大,2例2眼病灶瘢痕化.结论:TTT对治疗高度近视合并CNV有一定效果,但存在病灶疤痕化及脉络膜萎缩灶较治疗前扩大的问题.     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗脉络膜新生血管的临床研究

目的探讨经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)治疗老年性黄斑变性(AMD)及高度近视患者脉络膜新生血管(CNV)的临床疗效及安全性。方法分别对经眼底血管造影证实有经典型或隐匿型CNV的33例37眼AMD或高度近视患者进行TTT治疗。TTT各光斑平均功率密度为(18.32±2.23)W/cm2。定期随访视力、眼底等,平均随访(3.7±2.3)个月(1～7个月)。结果经过1次或多次TTT治疗,17眼(45.9%)症状减轻或消失;视力稳定或提高者32眼(86.5%),下降≥1行者5眼(13.5%);7眼于TTT过程中视网膜出血增加,3眼随访过程中出现其他部位的新鲜出血。在行造影复查的患者(22例22眼)中,14眼(63.6%)渗漏减轻或消失。结论TTT治疗CNV是一种安全、有效的方法,但其疗效的最终评价以及激光参数的选择依据等需要进一步大样本、长时间的临床研究。     

Long-term efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

AIM: To determine the long-term efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD were treated with diode laser (810nm) TTT. The mean age was 67.1 years. Complete ophthalmic examination was done, color fundus photographs and macular optical coherence tomography scans were taken, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed during initial and at subsequent follow-up examinations. Treatment was given in one minute using 2-3mm spot sizes, and laser power settings were between 650-800mW. The follow-up period was between 5 and 64 months and the mean was 28.6 months. RESULTS: There was subfoveal classic CNV in 10, predominantly classic CNV in 2, minimally classic CNV in 1, and type 1 occult CNV in one of the fourteen eyes. Four patients were noted to have post-treatment hemorrhage which was absorbed in a short time. Macular non-perfusion occurred in one patient immediately after treatment. Most of the eyes demonstrated a decrease in exudation during the follow-up. With a mean follow-up of 28.6 months, visual acuity improved in 5, remained the same in 8 and decreased in 1 of the 14 eyes. CONCLUSION: Transpupillary thermotherapy is shown to close subfoveal CNV with rapid resolution of subretinal fluid while maintaining visual function in patients with AMD. It may be performed as an alternative laser treatment in classic and predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization due to AMD.     

Macular infarction after transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To report the complication of macular infarction after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Interventional case reports. METHODS: Among 107 consecutive patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD, a 73-year-old woman with recurrent subfoveal classic choroidal neovascularization and a 76-year-old man with subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization with adjacent areas of geographic retinal pigment epithelium atrophy noted a severe decrease in visual acuity and photopsias within hours of undergoing TTT. RESULTS: Both patients had marked whitening of the macula clinically and closure of the perifoveal capillaries on fluorescein angiography. Immediately after treatment their visual acuity decreased from 20/200 to 6/200 and from 20/400 to 2/200, respectively. Several months later, all exudation had resolved and their visual acuity had stabilized at 20/100 and 20/200, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Macular infarction is a rare complication that occurred in two of 107 patients undergoing TTT for subfoveal CNV due to AMD. The presence of geographic retinal pigment epithelium atrophy or a previous laser treatment scar in the macular region may predispose patients to this complication.     

Subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To describe the long term outcome of patients with subfoveal, occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy. METHODS: 82 eyes of 82 consecutive patients with subfoveal occult CNV secondary to AMD were treated with subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy. Best corrected visual acuity, fundus photography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed. RESULTS: All patients have been followed for at least 24 months. At the final follow-up visit, 75.6% of patients had stable or improved visual acuity and 24.4% had worsened visual acuity. No overtreatment side effects were found. CONCLUSION: Subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy seems effective in stabilizing visual acuity in patients affected by occult, subfoveal CNV even on a long-term basis.     

Limited macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose: To examine the safety and efficacy of limited macular translocation followed by laser photocoagulation in the management of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on eight consecutive patients undergoing limited macular translocation followed by laser photocoagulation for the treatment of subfoveal classic CNV form of AMD. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. The magnitude of foveal translocation, visual outcomes and complications were assessed. Results: In all cases the fovea was successfully translocated inferiorly, with a median displacement of 1.1 mm. Thermal laser photocoagulation was subsequently performed in all cases. Visual acuity improved in five eyes, remained unchanged in two eyes and worsened in one eye. The mean improvement in visual acuity was by 0.19 logMAR. At 12 months, six of the eight patients (75%) achieved Snellen visual acuity of at least 6/15, with four patients (50%) achieving Snellen visual acuity of 6/9. Conclusion: In this small case series, limited macular translocation was found to be an effective and reproducible means of treating small well‐defined subfoveal CNV.     

Transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration in Taiwan

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic outcome and the recurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in light-brown retinas. METHODS: A retrospective, non-randomized study of 58 eyes in 55 patients with subfoveal CNV treated with TTT was conducted. Power settings were set about half the value for Caucasian eyes. The outcome was assessed with best-corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and fundoscopic examination. RESULTS: Forty-four membranes were occult, six classic, and eight mixed. Mean follow-up was 16.6+/-10.7 months (range: 6-48 months). Membranes closed in 46 eyes. Iatrogenic complications included three subretinal haemorrhage, two retinal pigment epithelium tears, and two macular area cystic changes. In eyes with occult CNV, visual acuity improved in six (13.6%), 14 (31.8%) remained unchanged, and 24 (54.6%) deteriorated. For various CNV, average logMAR changes from baseline at last follow-up were 0.30 in occult, -0.08 in classic, and 0.59 in mixed (P<0.01). Thirty eyes experienced recurrence within 9.2+/-6.2 months (range: 2-22 months). Cumulative recurrence rate was 45% at 12 months and 71% at 22 months, with no significant difference between occult and non-occult type CNV. CONCLUSIONS: Transpupillary thermotherapy does not cure CNV secondary to AMD. High recurrence was found independent of CNV type. Most improved vision was found mostly in classic CNV. Complications associated with high energy level should be considered in light-brown retinas.     

Progression of choroidal neovascularization after macular translocation in age-related macular degeneration and degenerative myopia

PURPOSE: To study the progression of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after macular translocation in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and degenerative myopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data from 42 consecutive eyes (28 AMD, and 14 degenerative myopia) operated on by limited macular translocation (DeJuan technique), with a follow-up of 6 months or more, were prospectively analyzed. In the AMD group, neovascularization was classic in 54% of eyes and classic and occult in 46% of eyes. Previous laser treatment was applied on extra- or juxtafoveal CNV in 3 eyes. The major outcome measures were visual acuity, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies. RESULTS: After translocation, foveal displacement was greater in AMD than in myopic eyes (mean: 1 260 and 812 micro m, respectively). Laser photocoagulation was applied postoperatively onto extra-or juxtafoveal CNV in 26 (93%) AMD eyes and 12 myopic eyes (86%). Mean follow-up was 10 months (range, 6-18 months). Recurrence of CNV occurred in 14 AMD eyes (50%) and 2 myopic eyes (14%) an average of 5.6 months after surgery (range, 1-18 months). Recurrence was more frequent in AMD eyes with preoperative occult CNV (66%) than without (36%). Recurrence reached the new fovea in 69% of cases. Supplementary laser treatment was possible and successful on extra- or juxtafoveal recurrence in 3 eyes. Recurrence was significantly correlated with a poor visual prognosis: eyes without recurrence or with extra- or juxtafoveal recurrence had a final gain in visual acuity of 2.4 lines, eyes with subfoveal recurrence had a loss of 1.3 lines, and eyes with diffuse recurrence had a loss of 4.2 lines. CNV appeared in a new area at a BSS injection site in one eye. Occult CNV seemed to fade relatively within the first postoperative weeks, but were unchanged at the end of follow-up. In one eye, a small polypoidal lesion near the disc noted preoperatively disappeared after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the surgical procedure does not affect the course of classic or occult CNV. The rate of recurrence of CNV after macular translocation seemed similar to that observed after conventional laser treatment for extrafoveal CNV in AMD. Neovascular recurrence is the most frequent postoperative complication and was frequently directed at the new fovea. Despite these complications, macular translocation moves CNV outside of the subfoveolar zone so the eyes can be treated with conventional laser, leading to a favorable outcome at the last follow-up in 57% of cases. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to define the best criteria for treatment.     

Transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized, non-masked, case-selected series. METHODS: All patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD and initial visual acuity (VA) between 6/9 and 6/60 were offered the opportunity to undergo TTT. Recruited subjects were treated using a diode laser (810 nm) with a beam size of 1.2-3.0 mm and power settings of 460-1200 mW. Treatment was applied for 60 seconds in a subthreshold manner. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in VA and changes in the angiographic appearance of CNV. RESULTS: Thirty-one occult/predominantly occult and five classic/predominantly classic membranes were treated with TTT and were followed-up for a mean of 6.0 +/- 1.2 months. Following an average of 1.5 +/- 0.7 (range 1-4) laser sessions, VA remained stable ( -1 to +1 Snellen line) in 24 (66.7%) eyes, improved by > 1 line in two (5.6%) eyes and decreased significantly (> or = 2 Snellen lines) in 10 (27.8%) eyes. Angiographically confirmed closure of CNV was detected in 22 (61.1%) patients. Membranes persisted in 11 (30.6%) eyes and recurred in three (8.3%) eyes. There was no association between reduction, elimination or persistence of angiographic leakage of CNV and change in VA after treatment (p = 0.347). CONCLUSIONS: Transpupillary thermotherapy may be effective at preserving vision and reducing CNV leakage in a number of patients with exudative AMD. Further studies are required to compare TTT with the natural course of subfoveal CNV and alternative treatment options.     

Photodynamic therapy with delayed light application for the treatment of bilateral subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To determine if photodynamic therapy (PDT) with delayed light application at 17 minutes after the start of infusion was effective in the second eyes of patients with bilateral subfoveal classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: The records of 20 patients with bilateral subfoveal classic CNV secondary to AMD who were treated with bilateral PDT in the same session were reviewed. Treatment for the second eye of patients was begun 120 seconds after termination of treatment for the first eye. This time interval was necessary for applying the contact lens and entering the new laser parameters, and it was kept constant in all cases. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ophthalmologic examinations, fluorescein and indocyanine angiograms were used to evaluate the results of PDT. Follow-up time ranged from 6 to 12 months with a mean of 8.7 (+/-2.1) months. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) treatment sessions were 1.7 (+/-0.6) in first eyes and 1.7 (+/-0.5) in second eyes. Among first eyes, BCVA improved in 7 of the 20 eyes (35%); stabilized in 7 eyes (35%); and worsened in 6 eyes (30%). Among second eyes, BCVA improved in 5 of the 20 eyes (25%); stabilized in 8 eyes (40%); and worsened in 7 eyes (35%). CONCLUSIONS: In most cases, bilateral PDT in the same session achieved cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV without loss of vision or growth of CNV in the second eyes of patients with bilateral subfoveal classic CNV secondary to AMD. Further studies with a larger number of patients and longer follow-up are necessary to confirm whether bilateral PDT in the same session is beneficial for bilateral subfoveal classic CNV related to AMD.