ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical results and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) through 4 years after single and multi-treatments of patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration(AMD). MethodsClinical data of 73 AMD cases (95 eyes) diagnosed through fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT), treated with PDT were reviewed and analyzed in this hospital from June 2000 to June 2004. The changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus pictures, FFA, ICGA and OCT were compared before and after PDT. Follow-up time varied from 3 months to 4 years (mean, 2 years). ResultsThe mean age of 73 patients was 67.8 years old. The BCVA was from CF/10 cm to 1.0. At the final follow up, the BCVA was improved (increase≥2 lines) in 39 eyes (41.1%), stabilized (±1 line) in 51 eyes (53.7 %) and decreased 2 lines in 5 eyes (5.3%). Fundus hemorrhage and exudation reduced after PDT. FFA and ICGA showed CNV complete closure in 58 eyes (61.05%), partial closure in 6 eyes (6.32%), CNV incomplete closure in 22 eyes (23.16% ) and recurrence in 9 eyes (9.47%). After once PDT of 12 eyes with early-stage AMD, the BCVA improved (from 0.6 to 1.5), CNV completely closed, and the OCT showed disappearance of macular edema and neursensory retinal deta chment. No CN V recurred in our four years follow-up observation and the BCVA of the patients remained stable. The mean number of PDT treatment was 1.8 per eye in 95 cases. No serious local or systemic complications were encountered. ConclusionsSingle or multiple sessions of PDT can acheive long-term safety and efficacy. For early-stage AMD patients with minimally classic CNV, PDT can completely make CNV closed and reduce the risk of visual loss.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：275-279)
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of photodynamic therapy（PDT）on choroidal neovascularization（CNV）with or without cystoid macular edema（CME）in patients with wet agerelated macular degeneration（AMD）. Methods The clinical data of 54 patients (54 eyes) with wet AMD who had undergone the standard PDT，including 16 patients（21 eyes）with CME and 28 patients（33 eyes）without CME were retrospectively analyzed. The visual acuity and BFT of patients were examined by early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) and optical coherence tomography（OCT）before and per three months after PDT. The follow up was 3-18 months with the mean of 8.3 months.Results At the last time of follow up, in CME group，ETDRS letter score was（29.429plusmn;17.907）and the BFT was （316.429plusmn;77.161）mu;m，compared with that before the treatment, the difference were statistically significant (t=-0.389，2.246；P＝0.701，0.019). In nonCME group, ETDRS letter score was (48.121plusmn;17.911) and the BFT was (244.667plusmn;37.619) mu;m, compared with that before the treatment, the difference were statistically significant (t=-3.424，6.880；P＝0.002，0.000). There were statistical significance for the change of ETDRS letter score and BFT between the two groups (t=-2.194，2.212；P＝0.033，0.031）). Conclusions Therapeutic effect of PDT on CNV with CME was better than without CME in patients with wet AMD.
Objective To observe the efficacy of monotherapy and combination treatments of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs for advanced exudative age-related macular degeneration (EAMD). Methods Thirty-two eyes from 28 patients with EAMD were enrolled in this study. Fifteen eyes were treated with PDT or intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs (monotherapy group), while 17 eyes were treated with combination treatments of PDT and intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs (combination group). The follow-up was ranged from 5 to 28 months with a mean of 21 months. Vision and intraocular pressure were measured and optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed every month after treatment. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed every 3 months during follow-up period. The changes of visual acuity, leakage in macula lutea and central retinal thickness (CRT) before and after treatment, and adverse events during follow-up period were observed. The mean treatment times of monotherapy and combination group were compared and analyzed. Results Among 32 eyes, visual acuity improved in 20 eyes (62.5%), stabilized in 9 eyes (28.1%) and decreased in 3 eyes (9.4%). The leakage in macula lutea disappeared in 17 eyes (53.1%), decreased in 12 eyes (37.5%) and increased in 3 eyes (9.4%). CRT was reduced in 23 eyes (71.8%), increased in 9 eyes (28.2%). The mean treatment times of the combination group (2.3plusmn;0.2) was significantly less than that of monotherapy group (3.4plusmn;0.5)(P＜0.05). No adverse events such as secondary retinal hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage or endoophthalmitis were found during the follow-up duration. Conclusions Both monotherapy and combination treatments of PDT and intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs for EAMD may improve visual acuity, exudation and macular edema. Combination of PDT and anti-VEGF therapy decreases the frequency of retreatment.
Objective lt;brgt;To study the clinical results and safty of photodynamic therapy (PDT) after single and multi-treatments of patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by wet agerelated macular degeneration (AMD). lt;brgt; lt;brgt;Methods lt;brgt;From July, 2000 to July, 2001, 20 wet AMD patients (31 eyes) 4788 years old (mean 68.2 years old) with best-corrected visual acuity from FC/10 cm to 0.6 diagnosed through optic coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were treated with PDT. All cases were assigned to benzoporphyrin derivative mono acid (BPD) (6 mg per square meter of body surface area), administered via intravenous infusion of 30 ml over 10 minutes. Fifteen minutes after the start of the infusion, a laser light at 689 nm (Zeiss company, German) delivered 50 J/cm2 at an intensity of 600 mW/cm2 over 83 seconds on CNV. Visual acuity, photochrome of ocular fundus, OCT, FFA, ICGA were used to evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy with BPD. Follow-up of these patients was planned 1-2 week and every 3 month after PDT. Once the lesion area progressed, PDT was applied again. Tweenty cases (31 eyes) were followed up from 3 to 18 months (average 12 month).In 1 affected eye, PDT was applied fow 4 times, 4 eye for 2 times, and the other 26 eyes for 1 time. lt;brgt;Results lt;brgt;The visual acuity in 13 (41.9%) eyes was improved (increase≥2 lines) after PDT. Stabilized (±1 line) in 17 (54.8%) eyes and decreased 2 lines（attributed to the recur of CNV ）in 1 (3.2%) eye. After PDT, the fundus haemorrhage and fluid leakage reduced. FFA and ICGA showed. cessation and obvious reduction of fluorescein leakage from CNV in all patients 2 weeks after photodynamic therapy, and retreatment decreased the leakage step by step. Fluorescein leakage from at least a portion of the CNV reappeared by 1-3 month after treatment in some cases. OCT also showed the reduction of the size of CNV, moreover, the edema of surrounding retina and choriodal and serous neural epithelial detachment recovered obviously. No side affect during and after PDT was noticed. lt;brgt;Conclusions lt;brgt;PDT with BPD can achieve short-term effect on part or total cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV without loss of vision or growth of classic CNV in patients with age-related macular degeneration, retreatment of PDT was also effective. lt;brgt; lt;brgt;(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 175-179)
Objective To evaluate short-term effects of a single photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment with visudyne (CIBA Vision Corp.) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-ralated macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Thirty cases (35 eyes) diagnosed as AMD patients with classic CNV were treated with PDT. The data of visual acuity testing, fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography （OCT) were used to evaluate the effects of a single treatment of PDT before and 1 week, 1 ,3 month after treatment. Results The visual acuity of 34 eyes were stable or improved in 3 months follow-up；and the visual acuity of 1 eye was decreased. Decrease or dispearance of fluorescein leakage from CNV was noted in 19 eyes. No serious complication occurred. Conclusion Single treatment of PDT for CNV in AMD can achieve short-term decrease or cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV without loss of visual acuity. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 171-174)
ObjectiveTo evaluate the 3-year efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsThis is a retrospective, uncontrolled case series study. Thirty-two eyes of 29 patients with PCV were enrolled. All patients were primarily treated with the first conventional PDT. For the eye with active polypoida, residual or exudative lesions in 6 month after PDT, PDT combined with intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)or simple vitreous injection of anti VEGF therapy were used. All the patients were followed up for at least 3 years with the mean follow-up duration of 43.64±10.84 months. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the primary PDT, PCV recurrence rates and number of treatments were followed and analyzed. The BCVA was converted into a logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. ResultsDuring the 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the primary PDT, the mean BCVA were all improved with statistically significant difference(t=2.27, 4.57, 3.77, 2.37; P<0.05). During the 24 and 36 months after PDT, the mean BCVA was decreased without statistically significant difference(t=-1.29, -0.81; P>0.05). On the final evaluation at 36 months, the mean BCVA was improved in 6 eyes(18.75%), stable in 14 eyes(43.75%), and decreased in 12 eyes(37.50%). During the follow-up time, recurrence of PCV in 24 eyes (75.00%), no recurrence in 8 eyes (25.00%). There was 1 recurrence in 12 eyes (50.00%), 2 recurrences in 9 eyes (37.50%), 3 recurrences in 3 eyes (12.50%). Initial recurrences were noted in 4 eyes (16.67%) within 12 months of baseline PDT treatment; in 11 eyes (45.83%) between 13 and 24 months; in 9 eyes (37.50%) between 25 and 36 months. The mean number of PDT and anti-VEGF was 1.86±1.04 and 4.95±3.92 in all patients, respectively. ConclusionThe 3-year efficacy of PDT in patients with PCV was poor with low improvement of visual acuity and high recurrence rate of PCV.
Objective To observe the characteristics of optical coherence tomography（OCT）in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) before and after photodynamic therapy (PDT), and investigate its relationship with visual acuity. Methods Thirty-four PCV patients (40 eyes) diagnosed by fundus fluoresce angiography and indocyanine green angiography who had underwent the treatment of PDT, were enrolled in this study. The logMAR corrected visual acuity (CVA) were detected and the height and the base diameter of retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED）and retinal detachment (RD), central subfield thickness (CST), macular volume (MV) were measured by OCT before and after treatment. Before the treatment, the mean logMAR CVA was 0.66plusmn;0.32 and visible PED and RD were seen on OCT images. The OCT characteristics and relationship with visual acuity were comparatively analyzed. Results One, three, six and 12 months after treatment, the mean logMAR CVA were 0.58plusmn;0.27, 0.48plusmn;0.38, 0.51plusmn;0.37 and 0.50plusmn;0.36. The differences of CVA were statistically significant between beforetreatment and three, 12 months after treatment(t=2.32,2.10; P＜0.05),but not between beforetreatment and one,six months after treatment (t=1.22,1.961;P＞0.05). The differences of the height and the base diameter of PED were statistically significant between before treatment and six,12 months after treatment (t=2.34,2.03;P＜0.05),but not between before treatment and one, three months after treatment (t=1.07,1.50;P＞0.05). The differences of the height (t=2.22,2.99,3.30,3.95) and the base diameter (t=2.55,3.33,3.11,3.92) of RD were statistically significant between before treatment and one, three, six and 12 months after treatment (P＜0.05). The differences of CST (t=2.71,3.55,3.81,3.21) and MV (t=2.10,3.30,3.62,4.18) were statistically significant between before treatment and one, three, six and 12 months after treatment (P＜0.05). CVA had negative correlation with the base diameter of PED, the height and the base diameter of RD, CST and MV (r=-0.88,-0.89,-0.92,-0.86,-0.94;P＜0.05), no correlation with the height of PED (r=-0.70,P＞0.05). Conclusions The height and the base diameter of PED and RD, CST, MV of PCV are decrease after PDT. There is a negative correlation between CVA and the base diameter of PED,the height and the base diameter of RD,CST and MV.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to investigate the primary treatment tentatively. MethodsA systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Wanfang Data was performed to identify all comparative studies that compared the outcomes of PDT alone, intravitreal VEGF inhibitors alone and combined intravitreal VEGF inhibitors and photodynamic therapy. Outcomes of interest included the regression and recurrence rate of polypoidal lesions, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), therapeutic times, and the occurrence rate of adverse events. 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 19 non-RTCs were identified. According to treatment methods, the data extracted was classified to 3 groups, analyzed with odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95%confidence interval (95%CI). ResultsMeta-analysis suggests that the regression rate of polypoidal lesions (OR=0.34, 0.07; 95%CI=0.13-0.88, 0.02-0.36) and BCVA (WMD=0.25, 0.11; 95%CI=0.14-0.36, 0.01-0.21) in combined therapy group were significantly better than those in PDT group and intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate of polypoidal lesions in PDT group was significantly lower than intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group (OR=0.35, 95%CI=0.16-0.74, P=0.006). BCVA (P=0.025) and the occurrence rate of adverse events (OR=60.36, 95%CI=6.04-603.50, P=0.000 5) in intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group were significant better than PDT group. ConclusionsCombined treatment appeared to be superior to PDT alone or intravitreal VEGF inhibitors alone. Combined treatment takes priority over all others in the primary treatment of PCV.