Photodynamic therapy combined with low-dose intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for age-related macular degeneration refractory to photodynamic therapy alone

Abstract

Aim: To examine the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin combined with low-dose intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is resistant to PDT alone.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed, using the medical records of 22 eyes of 21 patients who consecutively received combined PDT and 2 mg of IVTA for exudative AMD with a suspected chorioretinal anastomosis or for AMD that was resistant to prior PDT alone. Only those patients who could be followed up for more than 12 months after this combined therapy were enrolled in the study. Best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurements were taken during each examination. Colour photography, fluorescein/indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography were carried out at baseline and every 3 months thereafter. Need for retreatment was based on dye leakage and the presence of serous retinal detachement (SRD) seen by optical coherence tomography.

Results: Visual acuity improved or was maintained in the majority of patients, with the mean change between baseline and the last visit being an improvement of 0.94 lines (p = 0.45). Seventeen (77%) of the 22 eyes showed improved or maintained visual acuity after 12 months of follow-up. Eight (36%) of the 22 eyes continued to show an SRD at the 12-month follow-up; this corresponded to unchanged or even decreased leakage of dye. The mean number of retreatments was 1.36, but the incidence of side effects accompanying treatment was not as high as that reported previously for combined therapy that utilised higher-dose IVTA.

Conclusions: PDT combined with low-dose IVTA for exudative AMD seems to be as effective and safe as combined therapy with the higher-dose IVTA that was reported previously.