Two-year outcome of photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE

To compare the 2-year results after photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone and PDT combined with intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide (triple therapy) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 consecutive patients (40 eyes) with subfoveal PCV. Of these 40 eyes, 16 were treated with PDT alone and 24 were treated with triple therapy.

RESULTS

The change in visual acuity in the triple therapy group was significantly better than that in the PDT group (P < 0.001). At 24 months, improvement in visual acuity was seen in only two eyes (12.5 %) of the PDT group, while it was seen in ten eyes (41.7 %) of the triple therapy group. Retreatment was given to 12 eyes (75.0 %) in the PDT group and to nine eyes (37.5 %) in the triple therapy group, although the retreatment-free period was significantly longer in the triple therapy group than in the PDT group (P < 0.001). Post-treatment vitreous hemorrhage was seen in only two eyes (12.5 %), all of which were in the PDT group.

CONCLUSION

Compared with PDT alone, triple therapy appears to reduce the postoperative hemorrhagic complications and recurrences of PCV and to improve the 2-year visual outcomes of PCV.