Same-day administration of verteporfin and ranibizumab 0.5 mg in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration
- Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth (ursula.schmidt-erfurth{at}meduniwien.ac.at),
- Sebastian Wolf (augenheilkunde{at}insel.ch),
- PROTECT Study Group
- Published Online First 4 September 2008
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate safety of same-day administration of verteporfin and ranibizumab.
Methods: Prospective, open-label, multicentre study; patients with predominantly classic (n=13) or occult (n=19) choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration received standard-fluence verteporfin at baseline and months 3, 6 and 9, based on fluorescein angiography (FA). Ranibizumab 0.5 mg was administered at baseline and months 1, 2 and 3.
Main outcome measure: The incidence of severe vision loss (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] loss ≥30 letters; primary safety assessment).
Results: No severe vision loss due to ocular inflammation or uveitis occurred. One patient had moderate vision loss (BCVA loss ≥15 letters). Three patients had mild/moderate uveitis. Two serious ocular adverse events occurred (retinal pigment epithelial tear and moderate BCVA decrease). No systemic adverse events occurred. At 9 months, all lesions were inactive with no recurrent leakage on FA and optical coherence tomography; macular edema and subretinal fluid resolved. Mean BCVA measured at 2 meters improved by 6.9 letters at 4 months and 2.4 letters at 9 months.
Conclusions/application to clinical practice: Same-day verteporfin and ranibizumab was safe and not associated with severe vision loss or severe ocular inflammation. Lesions stabilized, with minimal treatment required after month 3.
