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Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for retinal angiomatous proliferation

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT), using verteporfin, for subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) with pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and/or choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods

In this non-comparative, consecutive, interventional, case series, the data on 21 eyes (19 with stage 2 and two with stage 3 RAP) of 20 patients were reviewed. Serous PED occupied more than 50% of the lesion in 19 eyes. PDT was performed as per TAP protocol. Biomicroscopy and fluorescein and indocyanine-green angiography were performed to evaluate anatomical results and need for retreatment. Changes from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications, were assessed.

Results

A mean of 3.5±0.9 treatments was performed. After 13.7±2.2 months, mean BCVA decreased from 20/80 to 20/174 (P=0.0063). In six eyes (28.6%) BCVA remained stable, whereas in 15 eyes (71.5%) it decreased. Occlusion of RAP and flattening of PED was observed in three (14.2%) eyes, conversion to disciform lesion in one (4.7%), and persistence of PED in 11 eyes (52.3%). One eye (4.7%) evolved to haemorrhagic PED, and one (4.7%) toward stage 3 RAP. A tear in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was observed in four eyes (19%). Eleven (52.3%) showed progression of leakage, six moderate leakage (28.6%), and three (14.2%) absence of leakage.

Conclusions

Timely PDT with verteporfin in the early stages in eyes with smaller lesions has the potential for a beneficial effect on vision, whereas it might worsen the natural course of larger lesions, with most eyes undergoing enlargement, disciform transformation or RPE tear.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Oftalmologia ed Otorinolaringoiatria, Università di Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari, Italy

    Francesco Boscia, Claudio Furino, Michele Reibaldi & Carlo Sborgia

  2. Dipartimento di Oftalmologia ed Otorinolaringoiatria, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    Maurizio Battaglia Parodi

Authors
  1. Francesco Boscia
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  2. Maurizio Battaglia Parodi
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  3. Claudio Furino
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  4. Michele Reibaldi
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  5. Carlo Sborgia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francesco Boscia.

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The authors have no financial interest in this study

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Boscia, F., Parodi, M.B., Furino, C. et al. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for retinal angiomatous proliferation. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmo 244, 1224–1232 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-0205-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-0205-2

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