Three-year outcome of photodynamic therapy combined with VEGF inhibitor for pachychoroid neovasculopathy.

BACKGROUND

Long-term results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) are not yet clear.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective, observational case series. We retrospectively examined untreated PNV cases (22 cases, 22 eyes, mean age of 71.0 years) who underwent PDT therapy in combination with VEGF inhibitors followed by additional treatments with pro re nata protocol. Visual acuity, number of treatments, and time to recurrence were examined. In addition, foveal choroidal thickness and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were evaluated in 13 of 22 patients who were followed up with SpectralisOCTR from baseline.

RESULTS

Fifteen (68%) cases had polyps at baseline. LogMAR visual acuity averaged 0.24 ± 0.20 (range, - 0.079 to 0.82) at baseline and significantly improved after 1, 2, and 3 years (p = 0. 004, 0.0003, 0.002, respectively). Fourteen patients (64%) recurred, with an average time to recurrence of 1.8 ± 0.9 years. Foveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly after 1 year (average from 326 μm to 263 μm) and remained unchanged up to 3 years (255 μm). CVI also decreased after 1 year (average from 0.62 to 0.61) and remained unchanged until 3 years later (0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

We examined the 3-year course of PDT in combination with the VEGF inhibitor for untreated PNV. Visual acuity was improved, foveal choroidal thickness and CVI were decreased after 3 years.