Combination therapy of intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the six months follow-up outcome of combined intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization compared to PDT alone. Study design: Prospective interventional pilot study. Materials and Methods: Patients with six months follow-up of IVTA following PDT (Group I, eight eyes) and PDT alone (Group II, eight eyes) were included. Four mg/ 0.1 ml of IVTA was injected 7-10 days following PDT. The patients were reevaluated every month for the first two months and every three months thereafter in both the groups. Results: Group I: The mean age was 65.8±11.8 years (range: 47-79 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 11 (mean: 1.36). At six months, one eye had ³ 10 letters gain and three eyes had > 10 letters loss. Four eyes had stable vision. Two eyes (25%) developed increased intraocular pressure (>40 mmHg) during follow-up. Group II: The mean age was 58.7±11.7 years (range: 46-76 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 17 (mean: 2.13). At six months, six eyes had ³ 10 letters gain and none had > 10 letters loss. Two eyes had stable vision. Conclusion: The mean number of treatment sessions following combination therapy of IVTA (4 mg) and PDT appears relatively less (1.36 at six months) compared to PDT alone (mean: 2.13). ( P =0.02)

Keywords

• Intravitreal triamcinolone
• photodynamic therapy
• subfoveal choroidal neovascularization