Case series outcomes at 1 week following verteporfin photodynamic therapy. |
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Authors: | Weichuan Tan Paul E Beaumont Andrew A Chang |
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Institution: | Eye and Vision Research Institute, Sydney, Australia. |
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Abstract: | PURPOSE: To examine the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) fluorescein angiographic perfusion and visual acuity 1 week after photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne, Novartis AG, Switzerland) on predominantly classic, subfoveal lesions in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHOD: A retrospective case series study was conducted on the 1-week outcome of PDT treatment of 76 of 79 consecutive patients with the subfoveal, predominantly classic CNV form of AMD. Leakage from CNV was assessed by fluorescein angiography and best-corrected visual acuity determined on projected Snellen charts using a standardized protocol. RESULTS: One week after PDT treatment, absence of fluorescein leakage from CNV was observed in 100% of the 76 patients. Visual acuity improved (at least a three-line gain) in 11 patients (15%), remained unchanged (less than a three-line gain or loss) in 64 patients (84%), and deteriorated (at least a three-line loss) in only one patient (1%). CONCLUSION: The absence of fluorescein leakage from classic CNV at 1 week in all cases was consistent with the published outcome of the clinical Phase I and II PDT trials. Further, vision loss 1 week after PDT for predominantly classic CNV was very uncommon. Therefore 1-week post-PDT angiography is unnecessary for predominantly classic CNV in patients with AMD. |
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