Purpose: To compare the 1-year results of intravitreal ranibizumab combined with reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RF-PDT) to intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) alone for eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Methods: We reviewed the medical records from 47 consecutive patients with PCV (47 naïve eyes). Seventeen eyes from 17 patients had one IVR treatment combined with RF-PDT followed by two additional IVR treatments (combined group), and 30 eyes from 30 patients were treated with 3 monthly IVR treatments (IVR group). All eyes had a follow-up period of at least 12 months.
Results: At 12 months, the mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved from 0.55 to 0.38 logMAR units in the combined group (P=0.041) but did not change significantly in the IVR group (P=0.371). The central foveal thickness (CFT) was significantly thinner in both groups at 6 months (P<0.01). Additional IVR injections were required less frequently in the combined group (n=3; 17%) than in the IVR group (n=16; 53%) during the 12 month follow-up (P=0.029).
Conclusion: The IVR and RF-PDT combination led to significant BCVA improvements and required fewer additional IVR treatments for at least 12 months in eyes with PCV.
Keywords: intravitreal ranibizumab; polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy; reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy.