Photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor antibody for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Abstract

Background/aims: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal injection of anti-vascular-endothelial-growth-factor (anti-VEGF) antibody in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients with PCV followed for 12 months after combination therapy with PDT and anti-VEGF were retrospectively reviewed. Patients received intravitreal anti-VEGF (1.25 mg bevacizumab or 0.5 mg ranibizumab) within 7 days after PDT. Retreatment with PDT and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, or with intravitreal anti-VEGF alone, was performed when indicated. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).

Results: Mean logMAR BCVA was 0.43 at baseline and 0.45, 0.36, 0.30 and 0.28 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively, after the initial combination therapy. Mean BCVA was significantly improved at 6 and 12 months after treatment (p < 0.05). Mean CFT was 269.4 μm at baseline and 180.1, 136.7, 127.5 and 139.6 μm at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively, after the initial combination therapy. CFT decreased significantly throughout the follow-up period. At 12 months, mean BCVA improved by 1.5 lines, and mean CFT decreased by 129.8 μm. Polypoidal lesions disappeared in 7 of the 13 eyes in which indocyanine green angiography was performed at 12 months. No changes in the branching vascular network were observed in any of these 13 eyes. Patients were treated with PDT a mean of 1.3 times and injected with intravitreal anti-VEGF a mean of 3.4 times over the 12-month period.

Conclusion: Combined PDT and intravitreal anti-VEGF may improve visual acuity and decrease CFT at 12 months. Large long-term prospective studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy.