Five-year follow-up results of photodynamic therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 5-year efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 36 patients with PCV followed up for at least 60 months after PDT were reviewed. All eyes were primarily treated with PDT. Main outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logMAR [logarithm of minimal angle of resolution]) at baseline and at each follow-up visit. We also classified the eyes into 3 groups: improved (improvement ≥0.3 logMAR), decreased (deterioration ≥0.3 logMAR), and stable.

RESULTS: During the mean follow-up duration, 73.64 ± 13.47 months, the mean number of PDT was 2.21 ± 1.62 treatments. Recurrence was noted in 33 eyes (78.6%) during follow-up. The mean baseline BCVA was 0.78 ± 0.48 logMAR (20/120 Snellen equivalent), and the final BCVA at 60 months was 0.67 ± 0.52 logMAR (20/93 Snellen equivalent) (P = .050, paired t test). On the final evaluation at 60 months, the mean BCVA was improved in 14 eyes (33.3%), stable in 23 eyes (54.8%), and decreased in 5 eyes (11.9%).

CONCLUSION: At 60 months after initial PDT, 88.1% of PCV patients showed stable or improved BCVA after PDT. Despite a high recurrence rate, PDT remained effective for 5 years, and represents a good therapeutic approach to PCV.