Combined photodynamic therapy with verteporfin and intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To examine the 7-month results for patients treated with combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin and intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This is a retrospective series of 24 eyes with juxtafoveal or subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD. Patients were treated with PDT with verteporfin and 1.25 mg of intravitreal bevacizumab. All patients were naive to treatment and had either treatment within a 14-day interval. Main outcome measures were visual acuity stabilization (defined as no change or a gain in visual acuity) and retreatment rate. RESULTS: At the 7-month follow-up, 20 (83%) of 24 patients had stabilization of visual acuity. Sixteen eyes (67%) had improvement in visual acuity. Mean improvement in visual acuity (n = 24) was 2.04 Snellen lines. Fifteen eyes (63%) required only a single combined treatment for CNV resolution. There were no complications, including endophthalmitis, uveitis, and ocular hypertension. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that combined treatment of PDT with verteporfin and intravitreal bevacizumab may be useful in treating neovascular AMD by reducing retreatment rates and improving visual acuity. Further investigation with large, controlled trials is warranted to outline the appropriate treatment paradigm for combination therapy.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with verteporfin photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration (IBeVe Study)

Background A novel alternative for combined treatment using verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as preliminary safety and efficacy data of the intravitreal use of the anti-angiogenic bevacizumab became available. In the current study we investigate the feasibility of intravitreal bevacizumab combined with verteporfin PDT for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods A single-centre, prospective, open-label study of 11 patients with documented CNV progression after PDT treatment who underwent combined PDT and intravitreal injection of 1.5 mg of bevacizumab was undertaken. Standardized ophthalmic evaluation was performed at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 12 and 24. Clinical evidence of complications and changes in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts and in fluorescein leakage from CNV were evaluated. Results The mean (±SD) age of the 11 patients was 74 (±5) years. Seven eyes had been treated with one previous PDT session and four eyes had two previous PDT sessions. The mean baseline logMAR ETDRS BCVA was 1.031 (Snellen equivalent, 20/200⁻²). At follow-up weeks 1, 2, 12 and 24, the mean logMAR ETDRS BCVA (Snellen equivalent) was 0.944 (20/160⁻²), 0.924 (20/160⁻¹), 0.882 (20/160⁺¹), and 0.933 (20/160⁻²), respectively. The change in BCVA from baseline was significant at each study follow-up interval (P ≤ 0.001); at 12 and 24 weeks, the mean change in BCVA from baseline was an improvement of 1.49 and of 0.98 ETDRS line, respectively. Fluorescein leakage from CNV was absent in all eyes at week 12. One additional treatment session was required in seven (63.6%) eyes at week 24 due to recurrent fluorescein leakage from CNV (“minimum” [<50% of the leaking area noted at baseline], n = 4; and “moderate” [>50% of the leaking area noted at baseline], n = 3). No progression of the neovascular lesion was observed at week 24. No safety issues were identified throughout the period of the study. Conclusions The overall changes in vision and fluorescein leakage from CNV throughout the study suggest that a possible synergistic effect may arise from the combination of intravitreal bevacizumab with verteporfin PDT for the treatment of neovascular AMD. In terms of funding, this was an investigator’s driven study.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab for previously treated choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To report the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and visual results in a series of patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to determine if a difference in treatment effect exists between previously treated and treatment na?ve patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for CNV from AMD with visual acuity greater than or equal to 20/320 between September 2005 and February 2006 was performed. OCT data recorded included central macular thickness and the presence or absence of cystic intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, or pigment epithelial detachment at the time of the initial injection, at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month intervals, as well as at the end of follow-up. Visual acuity measurements were recorded using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts. Any ocular or systemic adverse events were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to determine if OCT and visual acuity results were significant and to determine if a difference in outcomes existed between previously treated patients and treatment na?ve patients. RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes of 51 patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for CNV from AMD were identified. A total of 178 injections were performed. Mean number of days of follow-up was 138 with 91% of patients having at least 90 days of follow-up. Seventy percent of patients had undergone previous treatment for CNV. The mean number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections per eye was 3.3. Combined treatment with photodynamic therapy was provided in 20% of cases at the initial intravitreal injection. OCT data for all patients revealed an initial mean thickness of 362 mum, which was decreased at 1 week to 278 microm (P = 0.001), 235 microm at 1 month (P < 0.0001), 238 microm at 3 months (P = 0.0004), and 244 microm for the end of follow-up (P < 0.0001). Cystic retinal edema, subretinal fluid, and pigment epithelial detachment resolved in the majority of cases, but pigment epithelial detachment frequently took longer to resolve. Initial mean visual acuity was 20/125 (logMAR 0.8), and final mean visual acuity was 20/100 (logMAR 0.7) (P = 0.03). There was no difference in OCT or visual acuity outcomes (P = 0.62 and P = 0.28, respectively) between previously treated and treatment na?ve patients. There was no difference in OCT or visual acuity outcomes (P = 0.67 and P = 0.21, respectively) between patients who received combination therapy and those who received monotherapy with intravitreal bevacizumab. No systemic or ocular adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab for CNV from AMD results in a rapid decrease in OCT-measured retinal thickness in a majority of cases. Visual acuity also improved in this series, suggesting a potential corresponding visual benefit. This series suggests that previously treated and treatment na?ve patients have similar outcomes.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab for the management of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab for managing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD participated in this study at the American University of Beirut Ophthalmology Clinics. All patients had failed, refused, or were not eligible for photodynamic therapy. All eyes received a baseline eye examination, which included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dilated fundus examination, ocular coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and fluorescein angiography. An intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) was given at baseline and followed by two additional injections at four-week intervals. BCVA, OCT, and fluorescein angiography were repeated four weeks after each injection. Main outcome measures were improvement in BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT). RESULTS: Mean baseline BCVA was 20/252 (median 20/200), and baseline CRT was 362 microm (median 350 microm). Improvement in VA and CRT occurred by the fourth week. At 12 weeks, mean BCVA was 20/76 (P < .001) and median BCVA was 20/50 (P < .001). Both mean and median CRT decreased to 211 microm (P < .001). Thirteen (76%) of 17 eyes had total resolution of subretinal fluid, and four eyes (24%) had BCVA better than 20/50. No systemic or ocular side effects were noted at any time. CONCLUSION: Eyes with CNV due to AMD treated with intravitreal bevacizumab had marked anatomic and visual improvement. Further studies are necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment (s-PED) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: In this retrospective study, six patients (six eyes) with subfoveal occult CNV associated with s-PED due to AMD were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab combined with PDT. All patients were treated at baseline with PDT followed by intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg 1 hour later. Afterwards, according to the findings of optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography, repeat bevacizumab injections were given, if necessary, monthly for three doses followed by further doses every 3 months. PDT was repeated every 3 months according to the same criteria. Follow-up time was 9 months. RESULTS: All patients completed their treatment during the first 3 months from baseline. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved or remained stable related to the baseline values in all patients at the end of the follow-up time. Mean BCVA improved from 20/67 to 20/42. S-PED and subretinal fluid decreased or disappeared. The mean central 1-mm retinal thickness was reduced from baseline value for the 9-month follow-up period by 128 microm. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with PDT seems to be a promising treatment with good functional and anatomical results for occult CNV associated with s-PED due to AMD.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To describe the short-term anatomical and visual acuity responses after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with CNV secondary to AMD who were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) during a 3-month period. Patients underwent best-corrected Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography, and ophthalmoscopic examination at baseline and follow-up visits. RESULTS: There were 266 consecutive eyes of 266 patients who received injections, and follow-up information was available for 251 (94.4%). The mean age of the patients was 80.3 years, the mean baseline visual acuity was 20/184, and 175 (69.7%) had inadequate response to alternate methods of treatment. At the 1-month follow-up (data available for 244 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/137 (P < 0.001 as compared with baseline), and 74 (30.3%) of patients had improvement in visual acuity as defined by a halving of the visual angle. At the 2-month follow-up (data available for 222 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/122 (P < 0.001), and 78 (31.1%) of patients had visual improvement. At the 3-month follow-up (data available for 141 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/109 (P < 0.001), and 54 (38.3%) of patients had visual acuity improvement. The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 340 mum and decreased to a mean of 247 microm at month 1 (P < 0.001) and 213 microm at month 3 (P < 0.001). At 1 month, two patients had mild vitritis, as did one patient at 2 months, who had a history of recurrent uveitis. No endophthalmitis, increased intraocular pressure, retinal tear, or retinal detachment occurred. The risk for thromboembolic disorders did not seem to be different than reported previously in studies concerning macular degeneration. CONCLUSION: There were no apparent short-term safety concerns for intravitreal bevacizumab injection for CNV. Treated eyes had a significant decrease in macular thickness and improvement in visual acuity. The follow-up was too short to make any specific treatment recommendations, but the favorable short-term results suggest further study is needed.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

Background The purpose of the study is to report data on short-term safety of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment and its effect on visual function, central retinal thickness, and angiographical changes of occult choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration. Methods A consecutive interventional case series of 30 patients with active subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration was followed after one intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab at baseline and subsequent injections following standardized criteria. At baseline and follow-up visits patients had visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure measurement, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography imaging. Results No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were identified. A significant increase of intraocular pressure or signs of retinal toxicity or endophthalmitis were not detected in any patient. Optical coherence tomography revealed significant decrease (p < 0.001) in central retinal thickness after 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks, respectively. Fluorescein leakage decreased within 1 week and improvement was maintained at week 12 in the majority of patients. Visual acuity improved or remained stable in 29 of 30 patients; improvement of 3 or more lines was seen in 14 of 30 patients; one patients showed improvement of 6 lines. No patient had severe vision loss of 6 lines or more; moderate vision loss of 3 lines was seen in one patient. Re-injections of bevacizumab according to standard criteria were performed one to two times during the follow-up period of 12 weeks with a re-injection interval of 4 to 18 weeks (median 8 weeks). Conclusions Short-term results suggest that intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is well tolerated and for the majority of patients with occult choroidal neovascularization in AMD results in improvement of visual acuity, decrease in central retina thickness, and reduction of angiographic leakage of the lesion. Bevacizumab as intravitreal treatment may provide a novel therapeutic option for selected patients with exudative AMD. Randomized prospective multicenter trials seem justified to further evaluate long term effects and impact of intravitreal bevacizumab on different subtypes of AMD compared to established therapies.     

Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone combined with bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization associated with large retinal pigment epithelial detachment in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose  

To discuss the effect and outcome of a combined intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with large retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).     

Treatment of juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin in eyes with age-related macular degeneration.

To report the results of treating juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. Seven patients with predominantly classic juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization were treated by photodynamic therapy using verteporfin. Three of the 7 patients had a gain in visual acuity and 2 had a stabilization of vision. The remaining 2 patients had a decrease in visual acuity. Subfoveal extension of the choroidal neovascularization was not observed in any patient and all choroidal neovascularization lesions after treatment were found to be nonperfused on fluorescein angiography. The encouraging results based on this small pilot study suggest that photodynamic therapy should be considered for treatment of select juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.     

中国维替泊芬光动力疗法治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性中心凹下脉络膜新生血管的多中心临床研究

目的探讨以维替泊芬为光敏剂的光动力疗法（PDT）治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）合并黄斑中心凹下典型脉络膜新生血管（CNV）的疗效和安全性。方法采用多中心、开放、非对照Ⅲ期临床试验。受试对象为黄斑中心凹下以典型CNV为主的AMD患者。观察期限为24周。于第1次治疗后12和24周末进行复查。在首次治疗后12周,如发现CNV复发,则重复进行光动力治疗。比较治疗前后眼底病灶及视力的改变。记录治疗及随诊中所有的不良反应。结果共有32例患者入选,符合选择标准的患者为31例（31只眼）。在24周的观察中,38．7％的治疗眼视力增加5个字母以上,视力提高或减少小于15个字母者占83．9％。首次治疗后12周,CNV完全无渗漏的为12．9％;有渗漏,但局限于原病灶区的为61．3％;渗漏有进展者为25．8％。首次治疗后24周,病灶和病灶周围萎缩区大小、整个病变区域的最大直线距离均比治疗前稍有扩大,但差异均无统计学意义（P=0．65,0．31,0．12）。由此表明,在治疗的24周中,患眼的病灶基本稳定,未见明显扩大。PDT治疗后未发现病灶瘢痕明显扩大。整个临床试验中,11例（34．4％）发生了不良事件,其中7例（21．9％）为轻度不良事件,3例（9．4％）为中度不良事件,1例（3．1％）为重度不良事件。PDT治疗后24周,血尿常规和心电图检查均未见明显异常。结论用维替泊芬为光敏剂的PDT治疗AMD患者黄斑中心凹下CNV有较好的疗效,可以减轻CNV的渗漏,延缓视力下降,而且与药物相关的不良事件发生率低。因此,以维替泊芬为光敏剂的PDT治疗AMD继发的典型CNV其疗效肯定且安全。     

Combined treatment of photodynamic therapy and bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration

Purpose

To evaluate the outcome of a combined photodynamic therapy and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was administered to 28 eyes followed by 3 consecutive bevacizumab injections. Patients were followed-up for more than 12 months. At baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post PDT, visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography.

Results

The mean VA was significantly improved from logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 0.86 at baseline to 0.69 at 1 month (p = 0.011), 0.63 at 3 months (p = 0.003), 0.64 at 6 months (p = 0.004) and 0.60 at 12 months (p < 0.001). Central macular thickness decreased significantly from 328.3 µm at baseline to 230.0 µm at 6 months and 229.9 µm at 1 year (p < 0.001). Reinjection mean number was 0.4 for 6 months and 0.8 for 12 months. By 1 year, retreatment was performed in 10 eyes (36%).

Conclusions

PDT combined with three consecutive intraviteal bevacizumab injections was effective in improving VA and reducing central macular thickness.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to report data on short-term safety of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment and its effect on visual function, central retinal thickness, and angiographical changes of occult choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: A consecutive interventional case series of 30 patients with active subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration was followed after one intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab at baseline and subsequent injections following standardized criteria. At baseline and follow-up visits patients had visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure measurement, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography imaging. RESULTS: No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were identified. A significant increase of intraocular pressure or signs of retinal toxicity or endophthalmitis were not detected in any patient. Optical coherence tomography revealed significant decrease (p < 0.001) in central retinal thickness after 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks, respectively. Fluorescein leakage decreased within 1 week and improvement was maintained at week 12 in the majority of patients. Visual acuity improved or remained stable in 29 of 30 patients; improvement of 3 or more lines was seen in 14 of 30 patients; one patients showed improvement of 6 lines. No patient had severe vision loss of 6 lines or more; moderate vision loss of 3 lines was seen in one patient. Re-injections of bevacizumab according to standard criteria were performed one to two times during the follow-up period of 12 weeks with a re-injection interval of 4 to 18 weeks (median 8 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term results suggest that intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is well tolerated and for the majority of patients with occult choroidal neovascularization in AMD results in improvement of visual acuity, decrease in central retina thickness, and reduction of angiographic leakage of the lesion. Bevacizumab as intravitreal treatment may provide a novel therapeutic option for selected patients with exudative AMD. Randomized prospective multicenter trials seem justified to further evaluate long term effects and impact of intravitreal bevacizumab on different subtypes of AMD compared to established therapies.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab for refractory pigment epithelial detachment with occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: New medications targeting vascular endothelial growth factor show promise in the treatment of wet macular degeneration. This study describes the clinical response and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings for patients with refractory pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and occult choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data for 10 patients with fibrovascular PEDs, initially treated with intravitreal pegaptanib, thermal laser, or photodynamic therapy with or without triamcinolone acetonide administration, was performed. All patients were refractory to previous treatment. They received monthly injections of bevacizumab and were followed by clinical examination, angiography, and OCT. RESULTS: Nine of 10 patients had stable or improved vision. Angiogram findings showed resolution of leakage from CNVMs. OCT demonstrated resolution of the subretinal or intraretinal fluid but persistence of the PED itself. Vision improvement was correlated with OCT changes. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab may be a viable option in treating patients with fibrovascular PEDs. OCT findings suggest that visual improvement is secondary to resolution of subretinal and intraretinal edema without resolution of the PED.     

Selective photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration with polypoidal choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of selective treatment with indocyanine green (ICG) angiography-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS: In this retrospective consecutive series, 30 eyes of 30 patients with PCV were included. Complete ocular examination, digital fluorescein angiography (FA), ICG angiography, and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline and at standard intervals thereafter. ICG angiography-guided PDT was performed on all eyes. Only the area of the active PCV or "hot spot" evident on the ICG angiogram was treated. A spot size was chosen to cover the active neovascular lesion with a 200-mum border. Retreatment was performed when angiography revealed a recurrent lesion. RESULTS: Thirty eyes with PCV were treated and followed for 1 year. Mean age of the patients was 75 years (range, 55-90 years). These patients were all classified as having occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with FA and polypoidal CNV with ICG angiography. Improvement of vision (>or=3 lines) was achieved in 15 eyes (50%). Nine eyes had stable vision (30%), and 6 eyes (20%) had a decrease in vision (>or=3 lines). Repeated treatment was required in 15 eyes (50%) for an average of 2.2 treatments in 1 year. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that stabilization or improvement of vision is achieved in most eyes (80%) with neovascular AMD from PCV after selected ICG angiography-guided PDT. These outcomes compare very favorably with those in previous reports on the treatment of occult CNV. Reduced collateral damage to the choriocapillaris and reduced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor are presumed to be the explanation for this apparently better outcome. Further studies with longer follow-up are warranted to investigate the long-term efficacy in these conditions.     

Magnification requirement after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the magnification requirement after repeat photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A total of 103 patients were treated for the first time with PDT between November 1999 and September 2002. These patients were followed up at 3-month intervals for a minimum of 12 months. In addition to the usual investigations undertaken during PDT therapy, the magnification requirement was determined, under standardized conditions, using the SZB test developed by the Swiss Central Association for Blindness. RESULTS: A stable lesion with a stable magnification requirement was achieved in 86 (83.5%) patients; these patients were followed up for 24.8 months (range 12 to 36 months). At the time of the last follow-up examination, the magnification requirement compared with baseline was < 3 log units higher in 46 patients (53.5%) and > or = 3 log units higher in the remaining 40 patients (46.5%). Seventy-four (86%) of these 86 patients had a magnification requirement of < or = 8x. Stability was not achieved in 17 (16.5%) patients; up to the last examination these patients had been followed up for 12 to 30 months (mean 20.8). At the time of the most recent examination, 7 (41.2%) patients had a higher magnification requirement of < 3 log units while 10 (58.8%) had changed by > or = 3 log units. Sixteen patients (94%) had a magnification requirement of < or = 8x. CONCLUSIONS: PDT with verteporfin helps achieve stability without severe impairment in reading ability in most patients with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV due to AMD.     

12-month retrospective study and review of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 12-month visual outcome of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT-V) for patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration and to verify the predictive role of visual and angiographic factors. METHODS: This retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series study included subjects with different forms of subfoveal CNV. All patients received PDT-V according to Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration With Photodynamic Therapy/Visudyne in Photodynamic Therapy guidelines. A review of medical and angiographic records was performed. RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen patients were divided into 4 study groups: group I, 60 eyes with classic CNV; group II, 56 eyes with predominantly classic CNV; group III, 42 eyes with minimally classic CNV; and group IV, 58 eyes with occult CNV. In groups I and II, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was moderately decreased, without reaching a statistically noticeable level during the entire follow-up; lesion size reduction only reached significance in group I. Groups III and IV showed evident worsening of BCVA (P < 0.05), despite concomitant reduction in CNV size (statistically remarkable only for occult CNV). All study groups exhibited a significant correlation between higher baseline BCVA and better final visual outcome. In groups II and IV, smaller baseline CNV sizes also favorably influenced final BCVA. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized PDT-V minimizes deterioration of central vision only in patients with classic and predominantly classic CNV. Irrespective of the CNV type, better BCVA at presentation represents a good predictive sign. In predominantly classic and occult lesions, minor initial CNV dimension is also a positive prognostic element.