Michael J Wan1, Phil L Hooper, Tom G Sheidow. 1. Ivey Eye Institute and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To measure visual outcomes following combined treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Single-centre, retrospective cohort analysis. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-four eyes in 174 patients, representing a consecutive series of all patients with at least 6 months' follow-up after combined treatment with PDT and bevacizumab for exudative AMD. METHODS: Each patient was treated with PDT, followed by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab approximately 30 minutes later. The patients were then followed at 8-12-week intervals. The primary outcome of the study was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four eyes in 174 patients completed at least 6 months' follow-up, with a mean duration of 10 months. The mean number of treatments was 3.0 for bevacizumab and 1.4 for PDT. After stabilization, the mean treatment-free interval was 193 days, and 52% of the patients did not require postinduction retreatment. Mean VA improved from baseline at 2, 4, and 6 months of follow-up (p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, treatment-naïve patients had more favorable visual outcomes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective therapy for preserving VA in patients with exudative AMD.
OBJECTIVE: To measure visual outcomes following combined treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal bevacizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Single-centre, retrospective cohort analysis. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and seventy-four eyes in 174 patients, representing a consecutive series of all patients with at least 6 months' follow-up after combined treatment with PDT and bevacizumab for exudative AMD. METHODS: Each patient was treated with PDT, followed by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab approximately 30 minutes later. The patients were then followed at 8-12-week intervals. The primary outcome of the study was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four eyes in 174 patients completed at least 6 months' follow-up, with a mean duration of 10 months. The mean number of treatments was 3.0 for bevacizumab and 1.4 for PDT. After stabilization, the mean treatment-free interval was 193 days, and 52% of the patients did not require postinduction retreatment. Mean VA improved from baseline at 2, 4, and 6 months of follow-up (p < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, treatment-naïve patients had more favorable visual outcomes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of PDT and intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective therapy for preserving VA in patients with exudative AMD.
Authors: Michał S Nowak; Piotr Jurowski; Andrzej Grzybowski; Roman Goś; Mirosław Pastuszka; Andrzej Kapica; Janusz Śmigielski Journal: Med Sci Monit Date: 2012-06