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İstanbul Retina Enstitüsü, İstanbul Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the 12 months results of photodynamic therapy in two different groups of choroidal neovascularization (classic versus occult) caused by age-related macular degeneration.
Materials and Methods: Visual acuity testing, systemic ophthalmologic examination, color photographs, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were used to evaluate the results of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Follow-up examination were scheduled at 1 month, at 3 months after the treatment and thereafter every 3 months. :Retreatments were considered when moderate leakage or the progression of the leakage was observed at 3 months intervals. All patients completed the month 12 examination.
Results: Fifteen patients with classic CNV (group A) and 15 patients with occult CNV (group B) were compared. All patients completed the month 12 examination. At the month 12 examination, in group A, 3 (20%) patients, in group B 4 (26,6%) patients had improved in visual acuity. In group A, 2 (13,3%) patients, in group B 3 (20%) patients had some deterioration in visual acuity. In group A, 3 (20%) patients, in group B, 2 (13,3%) patients show no CNV within the area of the lesion noted at baseline at the month 12 examination. Progression of CNV beyond the area of the lesion identified at baseline at the month 12 examination occured in 1 (6,6%) patients in group A, compared with 2 (13,3%) patients in group B. Mean treatment sessions were 1.6 in group A, 1.5 in group B.
Conclusion: Visual acuity benefit through 12 months of follow-up was very similar in both group. These outcomes were also accompained by fluoescein angiography outcome at 12 months of follow-up. Both groups have also almost the same retreatment rates. Keywords : Age related macular degeneration, subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, classic choroidal neovascularization, occult choroidal neovascularization, photodynamic therapy