经瞳孔温热疗法治疗老年黄斑变性所致黄斑中心凹下脉络膜新生血管的长期观察

目的:评价经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性(AMD)所致黄斑中心凹下脉络膜新生血管(CNV)的长期疗效。方法:AMD所致黄斑中心凹下脉络膜新生血管14例14眼。平均年龄67.1岁。记录详尽的眼科检查结果,拍摄彩色眼底相,并行黄斑部光学相干断层成像(OCT)检查。在初诊及随后的复诊中行眼底荧光素血管造影和吲哚青绿血管造影。TTT的治疗参数为:时间1min,光斑大小2 ~3mm,激光能量650 ~800mW。随诊时间5 ~64mo,平均28.6mo。结果:在14眼中,典型性CNV有10眼,典型为主性有2眼,1眼为少量典型性,1型隐匿性CNV有1眼。共4例患者出现治疗后出血,均在短期内吸收。有1眼在治疗后立刻出现了黄斑无灌注区。多数患眼在随诊中可见渗出逐渐减少。在平均28.6mo的随诊中,14只患眼,有5眼视力提高,8眼保持稳定,1眼视力下降。结论:经瞳孔温热疗法在AMD患者中能封闭黄斑中心凹下的CNV,促进网膜下积液的迅速吸收,从而稳定患者的视力。它可以作为一种治疗典型和典型为主性黄斑中心凹下脉络膜新生血管的激光治疗手段。     

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.     

Enhanced efficacy associated with early treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with pegaptanib sodium: an exploratory analysis

PURPOSE: To assess the vision benefit of treating early subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with pegaptanib sodium. METHODS: Exploratory analyses of week 54 vision outcomes (VEGF Inhibition Study in Ocular Neovascularization study) of subject subgroups with early disease who received 0.3 mg of pegaptanib (Groups 1 [n = 34] and 2 [n = 30]) or sham injections (usual care). Two sets of clinical characteristics typical of early disease defined the subgroups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were generally well balanced between treatment arms. Pegaptanib responder rates (loss of <15 letters of visual acuity) were 76% and 80% in treatment Groups 1 and 2 versus 50% and 57% for usual care Groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.03 and P = 0.05), respectively. Compared with subjects assigned to pegaptanib, those in Groups 1 and 2 receiving usual care on average lost 11.1 letters and 12.7 letters more of visual acuity (P < 0.01 and P < 0.006), respectively. Subjects assigned to usual care were approximately 10 times more likely to have severe vision loss than were those treated with pegaptanib (Group 1, 29% vs. 3%, respectively; P < 0.01). In Group 1, 12% of pegaptanib-treated subjects gained > or =15 letters of visual acuity versus 4% receiving usual care; 20% of Group 2 pegaptanib-treated subjects gained > or =15 letters of visual acuity versus none of the usual care subjects. CONCLUSION: Early detection and treatment with pegaptanib may result in superior vision outcomes in patients with neovascular AMD.     

Progression of choroidal neovascularization following injection of pegaptanib sodium (macugen) in two eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To describe two cases of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that progressed despite a single intravitreal injection of pegaptanib sodium (Macugen) six weeks earlier. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 62-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman with occult and minimally classic lesions, respectively, each received a single injection of intravitreal pegaptanib. RESULTS: Within six weeks of an intravitreal pegaptanib injection, the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) progressed. In one eye, the chronic occult lesion developed subfoveal classic CNV. In the other eye, the classic component of the minimally classic lesion tripled in size. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of intravitreal pegaptanib was not effective in these two patients at six weeks. This report reminds the ophthalmologist to consider obtaining a fluorescein angiogram during follow-up after an intravitreal pegaptanib injection to monitor CNV lesion characteristics, particularly if the visual acuity decreases.     

Radiotherapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: a randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE: To report results of 18-month follow up of external beam radiation therapy with photons for subfoveal classic or occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 161 patients with subfoveal CNV in ARMD were recruited in a prospective double-masked study. The posterior pole of the afflicted eye was given 1 Gy (4 x 0.25 Gy) in the control group and 8 Gy (4 x 2 Gy) or 16 Gy (4 x 4 Gy) in the treatment groups. At the time of treatment, and 6, 12, and 18 months post treatment, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reading ability, and CNV size were measured. RESULTS: At the completion of the study 150 (93.2%), 139 (86.3%), and 137 (85.1%) patients were followed for 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The mean number of lines lost in the BCVA was -1.69, -2.2, and -3.23 in the 1 Gy group; -0.94, -1.25, and -1.73 in the 8 Gy group; -0.51, -0.67, and -1.93 in the 16 Gy group. The difference was significant after 12 months (P =.016 for 8 Gy vs. 1 Gy; P =.006 for 16 Gy vs. 1 Gy), and 18 months (P =.011 for 8 Gy vs. 1 Gy; P =.05 for 16 Gy vs. 1 Gy). The patients with classic CNV, or with an initial distance visual acuity >or=20/100, benefited more from treatment. A significant difference was not found between control group and treatment groups in the reading ability and in the CNV size. No radiation-associated side effects were reported thus far. CONCLUSION: The number of lines lost in the BCVA was less in the 8 Gy and 16 Gy treatment groups than in the control group during the complete follow up examination. Radiation therapy with 8 Gy and 16 Gy, without showing any difference in efficacy, resulted in a near stabilization of the BCVA in patients with subfoveal classic or occult CNV in ARMD. Further studies are necessary to determine the significance of repeated radiotherapy series with a dose of 8 Gy to improve the effect on the CNV size and thereby to prolong stabilization of distance visual acuity.     

Long-term outcome after radiation therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of low-dose radiation therapy on subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: The clinical course and visual outcome were compared retrospectively among two treated groups and a control group; 15 patients (15 eyes) received 10 Gy, another 15 patients (15 eyes) received 20 Gy. The control group consisted of 15 patients (15 eyes) without treatment. All patients were followed up for at least 18 months, and most were followed up for 3 years. The macula was irradiated with either 10 Gy in 5 fractions or with 20 Gy in 10 fractions after computed tomography (CT) simulation enabled real-time treatment planning from multiple CT slices. RESULTS: During the 3 years of follow-up, the lesions became better in 5 eyes, unchanged in 1, and worse in 9 with 10 Gy radiation; better in 7 eyes, unchanged in 1, and worse in 7 eyes with 20 Gy; and better in 1 eye and worse in 14 with no treatment. The difference between the groups treated with radiation and the control was statistically significant (P <.05). Visual acuity was also significantly better in the group receiving 20 Gy than in the control group up to 2 years after radiation (P <.01). CONCLUSION: Radiation may extend the period of good visual function substantially by reducing subfoveal choroidal neovascularization activity.     

Cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab compared with pegaptanib in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Objective  

To assess the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab compared with pegaptanib in the treatment of patients with minimally classic/occult neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), from a societal perspective in Spain.     

Long-term effect of laser treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration on choroidal hemodynamics

PURPOSE: To determine whether laser treatment applied according to the complications of age-related macular degeneration prevention trial (CAPT) has an effect on the choroidal circulation. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This study included 30 CAPT patients with bilateral drusen. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to measure relative choroidal blood flow (Ch(flow)) in the fovea. Measurements were obtained through dilated pupils in both eyes of each patient before photocoagulation was applied in one eye. Measurements were repeated at three months (30 patients) and 28 months (23 patients). RESULTS: Average Ch(flow) at baseline, three months, and 28 months was 7.2 +/- 2.1 (+/-1 SD), 7.3 +/- 2.5, and 6.8 +/- 2.7 arbitrary units (AU) in the control eyes and 6.6 +/- 1.6, 7.0 +/- 2.3, and 7.8 +/- 3.0 AU in the treated eyes. In comparison to control eyes, there was no significant change in Ch(flow) in the treated eyes at three months after treatment. At 28 months, however, there was a 5.6% drop in Ch(flow) in control eyes and an 18.2% increase in Ch(flow) in treated eyes from baseline. The average difference of 23.8% between the percentage changes in Ch(flow) observed in the control and treated eyes was statistically significant (paired two-tailed Student t test; P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an increase in choroidal blood flow 28 months after laser treatment according to the CAPT protocol. This increase may play a role in the mechanism leading to the disappearance of drusen after photocoagulation. Whether removal of drusen after photocoagulation is beneficial to the patients is not known at this time.     

Long-term outcomes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in comparison with typical exudative age-related macular degeneration

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To compare long-term outcomes between typical exudative age-related macular degeneration (TexAMD) and polypoidal choroidal...     

Clinical experience in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with pegaptanib

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy with Pegaptanib was effective in neovascular AMD in the VISION study. We report our experience with Macugen for the treatment of occult or minimally classic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 35 eyes of 35 patients with occult CNV or minimally classic CNV due to neovascular AMD not eligible for PDT were treated with intravitreal injection of 0.3 mg Pegaptanib. An average of 2.74 injections per patient was administered. Before, and every 3 months after treatment, visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, angiography and OCT examinations were performed. One month after treatment only visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, and OCT examinations were performed. Visual acuity measurements and an eye examination were done on the first and second day after injection, after 4-6 weeks and at months 3 and 6. RESULTS: Intravitreal Pegaptanib was well tolerated and we had no complications. Mean visual acuity was 0.38 +/- 0.23 at baseline, after one month 0.38 +/- 0.26, at 3 months it was 0.39 +/- 0.22 and at 6 months 0.41 +/- 0.26. OCT examinations showed a decrease in central retinal thickness from 277 microm to 254 microm. In 91.4 % of the eyes the visual acuity was stabilised or improved. No patient had an elevated intraocular pressure after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal therapy with Pegaptanib was safe and effective. The majority of patients showed a stabilisation in all the assessed parameters. In clinical practice unselective VEGF inhibition should be considered carefully for patients with high cardiovascular risk profile or thromboembolic events in the history.     

玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab联合经瞳孔温热疗法治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性

目的：观察玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab联合经瞳孔温热疗法( TTT)治疗渗出型年龄相关性黄斑变性的临床疗效及安全性。方法：选取来我院就诊并通过病史、临床症状及眼底血管照影(FFA/ICGA)和光学相干断层扫描(OCT)等辅助检查确诊的渗出型年龄相关性黄斑变性的患者160例(160眼),随机分为联合组和对照组,联合组给予单次行玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab,7d后行TTT治疗,对照组仅行TTT治疗,随访1a,分别于治疗后1wk;1,6mo;1a,观察患者的最佳矫正视力、散瞳后眼底的变化及眼底血管照影( FFA/ICGA)及OCT的检查。
　　结果：观察期末,联合组最佳矫正视力提高34例(42.50%),对照组最佳矫正视力提高16例(20.00%),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后1wk;1,6mo;1a联合组和对照组的荧光渗透有效率分别为(88.75%,62.50%);(91.25%,65.00%);(86.25%,61.25%);(78.75%,51.25%)。治疗后1 wk;1,6 mo;1 a联合组和对照组黄斑中心厚度分别为：(347.43±36.96)μm 和(423.58±29.03)μm;(287.78±34.16)μm和(387.14±32.98)μm;(301.75±37.21)μm和(415.40±31.38)μm;(326.17±27.39)μm 和(436.44±35.49)μm,两组相比,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：玻璃体腔注射Ranibizumab联合经瞳孔温热疗法治疗渗出型年龄相关性黄斑变性,能够使患者的视力得到改善,病灶渗漏停止或减轻,促进黄斑区出血、水肿及渗出的吸收,安全、疗效可靠,是一种有效的临床治疗方法。     

Retinal pigment epithelial tears after pegaptanib injection for exudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To report two cases of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears following intravitreal pegaptanib injections for occult choroidal neovascularization. DESIGN: Noncomparative case series. METHODS: The charts of two patients with pigment epithelial tears after receiving intravitreal pegaptanib were reviewed. Approval from the institutional review board and informed consent were obtained before chart review. Fundus photos, intravenous fluorescein angiograms, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were obtained before and after therapy confirmed the diagnosis. RESULTS: Two patients had turbid pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) and occult choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) treated with intravitreal pegaptanib. Both patients developed RPE tears weeks following one intravitreal pegaptanib injection. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the development of RPE tears after intravitreal pegaptanib injection. Caution should be taken in cases of turbid pigment epithelial detachments in the monocular patient when treatment with intravitreal pegaptanib is entertained. Future studies should be performed to evaluate which subtypes of lesions are most susceptible to this devastating visual complication.     

Foveolar choroidal circulation and choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To investigate in a longitudinal study whether foveolar choroidal blood flow changes are associated with the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in AMD. METHODS: Relative foveolar choroidal blood velocity (ChBVel), volume (ChBVol), and flow (ChBFlow) were assessed in 135 patients with AMD, at baseline and then annually with laser Doppler flowmetry. All study eyes had visual acuity of 20/40 or better and no CNV at the time of enrollment. Comparison of foveolar choroidal circulatory measurements at baseline and their change before the development of CNV was made between eyes that had CNV and those that did not. RESULTS: CNV developed in 28 eyes during the study. Baseline average foveolar ChBVol and ChBFlow in these eyes were 24% (P < 0.0001) and 20% (P = 0.0007) lower than that observed in the 165 eyes in which CNV did not develop. In the eyes with CNV, foveolar ChBVol and ChBFlow decreased by 9.6% and 11.5% before the formation of CNV, whereas in the eyes that did not, they increased by 6.7% (P = 0.006) and 2.8% (P = 0.004), respectively. Eyes with lower baseline foveolar ChBFlow were more likely (risk ratio = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.24-8.70) to show visual loss of three or more lines than were eyes with a higher baseline ChBFlow (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The development of CNV and visual loss are associated with lower choroidal circulatory parameters at baseline. In addition, the results suggest that decreases in the foveolar choroidal circulation precede the development of CNV in AMD and may play some role in its development.     

老年性黄斑变性脉络膜新生血管与脉络膜分水带

目的 观察老年性黄斑变性（age-related macular degeneration ,AMD）的脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularization,CNV)与黄斑区脉络膜分水带(choroidal watershed zones，CWZ)的关系。 方法 对比分析AMD 患者57例57只眼以及与之年龄相匹配的无AM D的患者35例35只眼的吲哚青绿血管造影（indocyanine green angiography, ICGA)资料，观 察CNV与黄斑区CWZ的关系。 结果 57只AMD眼中，35只眼有黄斑区CWZ，占61.4%；对照组35只眼中，3只眼有黄斑区CWZ，占8.57%，两者比较差异有显著性的意义（P<0.05)。在有CNV的43只渗出型AMD眼中，32只眼有黄斑区CWZ，占74.4%，其中29只眼的CNV来自黄斑区 CWZ，占90.6%。 结论 黄斑区CWZ可能是渗出型AMD的CNV好发部位。 （中华眼底病杂志，2003，19：76-78）     

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy coexisting with exudative age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To report two cases that had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) coexisting with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Both of the patients underwent color photographs, fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. Results On fundus examination, a grayish lesion in the foveal area, reddish-orange lesions and hemorrhagic retinal pigment epithelial detachments (PED) in the inferotemporal vascular arch were disclosed in the left eye of a patient, and macular scarring was observed in the fellow eye. ICG angiography revealed a typical branching vascular network and polyp-like aneurysmal dilations at terminals of branches in the inferotemporal vascular arcade and a well-demarcated hyperfluorescent area of CNV in the fovea in the left eye, and staining of macular scarring was present in the fellow eye. On fundus examination of the right eye of the other patient a gray–yellow lesion at the fovea, reddish-orange lesions in the extramacula were noted, and diffuse drusens were present in the fellow eye. ICG angiography revealed scattered polyp-like aneurysmal dilations without identifiable continuous branching vascular network in the extramacula, and a well-demarcated hyperfluorescence area of CNV in the fovea. Conclusions PCV can coexist with exudative AMD in some patients and the polypoidal lesions may less involve in the fovea than CNV. Evidence of AMD are present meanwhile in the fellow eyes these patients.     

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.     

Optical coherence tomography findings during pegaptanib therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND: To evaluate macular thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) during pegaptanib therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: For this prospective, nonrandomized, observational case series, 41 eyes from 41 patients with neovascular AMD received intravitreous pegaptanib (1 mg) injections repeated every 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure was central foveal thickness measured by OCT. Secondary outcomes were fluorescein angiographic leakage and visual acuity. RESULTS: Mean thickness of the central area on OCT decreased from 340 +/- 24 microm to 299 +/- 14 microm after 12 weeks of pegaptanib injections. This represents a reduction in thickening of 32%. Fluorescein angiograms with definite leakage decreased from 100% to 81%, and mean visual acuity decreased from 20/116 to 20/120. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injections of pegaptanib at 6-week intervals result in a moderate reduction of central foveal thickness in eyes with subfoveal neovascular AMD. This presents a modest effect relative to that reported with other anti-angiogenic agents.