Evaluation of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Purpose : To report the outcome of photodynamic therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration. Cases and Method : This retrospective study was made on 51 eyes of 49 patients with age-related macular degeneration with choroidal neovascularization in the fovea. By fluorescein angiography, 7 eyes (14%) were classified as predominantly classic, 18 eyes (35%) as minimally classic, and 26 eyes (51%) as occult with no classic. All the cases were followed up for one year or longer. Changes in visual acuity by 2 lines or more were defined as improvement or exacerbation. Results : Visual acuity improved in 10 eyes (20%), remained unchanged in 27 eyes (53%), and exacerbated in 14 eyes (27%). In 7 eyes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in the series, it improved in 4 eyes (57%), remained unchanged in 2 eyes (29%), and exacerbated in one eye (14%). Conclusion : Photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration resulted in improved or preserved visual acuity in 70% of eyes. It was also effective for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.