Retinal angiomatous proliferation treated by intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin.

PURPOSE: To examine combined treatment of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

METHODS

Ten eyes of eight consecutive patients with RAP underwent a single injection (about 20 mg) of IVT followed 1 month later by PDT. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured by standardized protocol refraction.

RESULTS

Median BCVA was 20/160, 20/64, 20/98, 20/89, 20/89, 20/125 at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Of ten eyes, six (60%) improved BCVA of at least 3 lines at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. Four (40%) eyes improved BCVA of at least 3 lines at 12 months. Three eyes (30%) lost >3 lines at 12 months. In all patients intraocular pressure was well controlled. No endophthalmitis, retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement of BCVA suggests that combination treatment with IVT and PDT for RAP merits further investigation.