One-Year Outcomes Comparison of Anti-VEGF Monotherapy and Combined Anti-VEGF+Photodynamic Therapy for Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation

INTRODUCTION: This study was a comparison of the results achieved in patients with age-related macular degeneration and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) diagnosis receiving intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy and receiving photodynamic treatment (PDT) combined with anti-VEGF treatment.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with RAP who were treated in the retina clinic of Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital was conducted. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who received anti-VEGF monotherapy formed Group I, and Group II comprised those who underwent combined therapy with PDT. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness values at baseline and at months 6 and 12, and the number of anti-VEGF injections and PDT sessions were recorded.
RESULTS: Fifteen eyes of 14 patients were included. Six of the patients were female and 8 were male; the mean age was 73.2±9.7 years. The mean baseline BCVA was 0.70±0.52 log of the minimum angle of resolution. Visual acuity increased in 1 of 15 eyes (6.6%), remained stable in 10 eyes (66.6%), and decreased in 4 eyes (26.6%). A total of 7 eyes received anti-VEGF monotherapy, and 8 eyes received combined PDT and anti-VEGF treatment. The mean number of injections was 10.7±7.8. Five eyes received 1 PDT session and 3 eyes received 2 sessions.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, visual acuity was preserved in the majority of patients receiving anti-VEGF monotherapy and combined PDT and anti-VEGF treatment for RAP lesions.