Time-course and characteristic morphology of retinal changes following combination of verteporfin therapy and intravitreal triamcinolone in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To identify characteristic morphological changes of the retina over time and the association with visual function after combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA).

METHODS:

In this retrospective study, 40 patients (40 eyes) were treated with PDT and same-day IVTA. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA) and evaluation of distance visual acuity (VA) were performed. The anatomical changes within intra- and subretinal compartments and their detailed analysis and grading were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS:

Intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) by OCT decreased until 3 months (p < 0.01). At month 3, intraretinal cystoid spaces (ICS) had resolved or decreased in 84% of eyes, SRF in 58% and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in 50%. Mean best-corrected VA (BCVA) improved significantly at month 1 (p < 0.01). Mean central retinal thickness (CRT) increased from 334 microm at baseline to 439 microm at day 1 (p = 0.03) before decreasing to 286 microm at day 7 (p = 0.06), 233 microm at month 1 (p = 0.001) and 255 microm at month 3 (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Combined verteporfin/IVTA therapy induces distinct time-related effects on the retina within the different intra- and subretinal compartments.

• Authors: Shilla Lie, Arne Aue, Stefan Sacu, Christian Simader, Kaija Polak, Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
• Journal: Acta ophthalmologica (Acta Ophthalmol) Vol. 88 Issue 2 Pg. 212-7 (Mar 2010) ISSN: 1755-3768 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19016662 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Photosensitizing Agents
• Porphyrins
• Verteporfin
• Triamcinolone Acetonide

Topics

• Choroidal Neovascularization (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Exudates and Transudates
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Injections
• Macular Degeneration (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitizing Agents (therapeutic use)
• Porphyrins (therapeutic use)
• Retina (pathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Time Factors
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Triamcinolone Acetonide (therapeutic use)
• Verteporfin
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Vitreous Body