Same-day administration of verteporfin and ranibizumab 0.5 mg in patients with choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate safety of same-day administration of verteporfin and ranibizumab.

METHODS

Prospective, open-label, multicentre study; patients with predominantly classic (n = 13) or occult (n = 19) choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration received standard-fluence verteporfin at baseline and months 3, 6 and 9, based on fluorescein angiography (FA). Ranibizumab 0.5 mg was administered at baseline and months 1, 2 and 3.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The incidence of severe vision loss (best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) loss > or = 30 letters; primary safety assessment).

RESULTS

No severe vision loss due to ocular inflammation or uveitis occurred. One patient had moderate vision loss (BCVA loss > or = 15 letters). Three patients had mild/moderate uveitis. Two serious ocular adverse events occurred (retinal pigment epithelial tear and moderate BCVA decrease). No systemic adverse events occurred. At 9 months, all lesions were inactive with no recurrent leakage on FA and optical coherence tomography; macular oedema and subretinal fluid resolved. The mean BCVA measured at 2 m improved by 6.9 letters at 4 months and 2.4 letters at 9 months. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Same-day verteporfin and ranibizumab was safe and not associated with severe vision loss or severe ocular inflammation. Lesions stabilized, with minimal treatment required after month 3.