Combination therapy of intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the six months follow-up outcome of combined intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization compared to PDT alone. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective interventional pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with six months follow-up of IVTA following PDT (Group I, eight eyes) and PDT alone (Group II, eight eyes) were included. Four mg/ 0.1 ml of IVTA was injected 7-10 days following PDT. The patients were reevaluated every month for the first two months and every three months thereafter in both the groups. RESULTS: Group I The mean age was 65.8+/-11.8 years (range 47-79 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 11 (mean 1.36). At six months, one eye had >or= 10 letters gain and three eyes had > 10 letters loss. Four eyes had stable vision. Two eyes (25%) developed increased intraocular pressure (>40 mmHg) during follow-up. Group II The mean age was 58.7+/-11.7 years (range 46-76 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 17 (mean 2.13). At six months, six eyes had >or= 10 letters gain and none had > 10 letters loss. Two eyes had stable vision. CONCLUSION: The mean number of treatment sessions following combination therapy of IVTA (4 mg) and PDT appears relatively less (1.36 at six months) compared to PDT alone (mean 2.13). (P =0.02).