Photodynamic therapy in age-related macular degeneration with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization

Backround: The aim of this study is to investigation of the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne) and nonthermal diode laser in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) on the basis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Material and Methods: Patients who underwent PDT with verteporfin for subfoveal CNV due to age-related macular degeneration were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as the first group with classic CNVM and the second group with occult CNVM. Before and after the treatment, ocular examination of the cases with biomicroscopy was performed, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), visual acuity and systemic risk factors were determined. Verteporphyrin at a concentration of 2 mg / ml was given intravenously in 5% dextrose. After 15 minutes of intravenous drug administration, the non-thermal diode laser beam at a wavelength of 689 nm was applied at a dose of 50 J / cm2 for 83 seconds. Results: A total of 37 eyes of 34 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 71.62 ± 5.2 years. Sixteen (47.05%) of the cases were female and 18 (52.94%) were male. There were only 18 eyes in the first group with classic CNVM and 19 eyes in the second group with occult CNVM. The mean ages were 71.50± 4.91 in the first group and 71.73± 5.75 in the second group. Visual acuity was increased in 3 eyes (16.6%) and in 4 eyes (21%) in Group 2. There was no systemic complication except for backache in 2 patients. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be an effective method in the treatment of subfoveal classic CNVM and occult type CNVM associated with AMD