[Photodynamic therapy in age-related macular degeneration].

INTRODUCTION

Exudative form of age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in elderly.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report 3.5 years experience with photodynamic therapy in this disorder.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patient files of all patients underwent photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest in a 3.5 years period were reviewed. Changes in visual acuity were considered as main outcome variable compared to natural history data.

RESULTS

From April, 2000 to September 2003, 302 patients were treated using photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for exudative form of age-related macular degeneration. The mean change of visual acuity were 2.6 and 2,7 lines at 12 and 24 months, respectively, while according to the natural history data 4.2 and 4.5 could have been expected. After 2 years, 83% of the patients had visual acuity better than or equal to 20/200 (this is the level of legal blindness), while only 33% was expected according to natural history data. Visual acuity of 20/80 or better (practical ambulatory vision) was found in 39% of the treated eyes (12% in natural history data). There was no severe adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

Photodynamic therapy was found to reduce the risk of severe visual loss. The authors' results confirm the data from the international trials. To achieve good results, good patient compliance and continuous access to the treatment are indispensible.