gms | German Medical Science

Application of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was done on 622 eyes over a period of 4 years. We found it necessary to focus critically on our indications and results.

Retrospective study of patient datas recorded from february 2000 to march 2004.

We performed 1163 photodynamic therapies with verteporfin on 622 eyes. 70% of the patients felt their visual acuity of the treated eyes better than before. This doesn't correspond to the objective development of visual acuity: in the hughest group (439 patients with AMD) only a partial stabilisation of visual acuity could be achieved (0,15±0,12 preop. versus 0.13±0,12 postop.). 34 patients with a choroidal neovascularisation caused by pathologic myopia did better: visual acuity grew from 0,15±0,10 to 0,23±0,19, and younger myopics had the greatest gain. 12 patients had different underlying diagnosis for choroidal neovascularisation (uveitis, scars after laser treatment, angioid streaks). They reacted differently to the therapy with verteporfin: the mean visual acuity grew from 0,17±0,09 to 0,19±0,18, but patients with angioid streaks had a poor outcome. Indications for photodynamic therapy were increasingly restricted. Together with more concret guidelines for our patients we could significantly improve our results.

Photodynamic therapy has enriched our therapeutic arsenal. Patient's subjective jugement of the therapeutic results is better than the objective course of visual acuity. Results can be improved by improving indication and patient's guidelines.