gms | German Medical Science

21st Annual Meeting of the German Retina Society and 8th Symposium of the International Society of Ocular Trauma (ISOT)

German Retina Society
International Society of Ocular Trauma

19.06. - 22.06.2008, Würzburg

Combination therapy for exudative ARMD: IECOMB study

Meeting Abstract

  • Sebastian Wolf - Bern/Schweiz
  • C.K. Brinkmann - Bern/Schweiz
  • L. Berger - Bern/Schweiz
  • U.E.K. Wolf-Schnurrbusch - Bern/Schweiz

Retinologische Gesellschaft. International Society of Ocular Trauma. 21. Jahrestagung der Retinologischen Gesellschaft gemeinsam mit dem 8. Symposium der International Society of Ocular Trauma. Würzburg, 19.-22.06.2008. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2008. DocISOTRG2008V121

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/rg2008/08rg122.shtml

Published: June 18, 2008

© 2008 Wolf et al.
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Outline

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Purpose: To evaluate the effects of combination therapy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal therapy with anti-VEGF agents on choroidal neovascularisations (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Effects on ETDRS-visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and fluorescein angiography were assessed.

Methods: All patients underwent a combination therapy with PDT and same-day intravitreal injection of ranibizumab at baseline (BL). Afterwards ranibizumab injections were administered at day 30, day 60, and day 90. Thereafter, patients were followed monthly and received ranibizumab injections if OCT or fluorescein angiography revealed an active lesion. Examinations included best corrected visual acuity (VA), OCT and fluorescein angiography (FA). Changes in VA and central retinal thickness measured in OCT were analysed between baseline and last follow-up.

Results: Fifteen patients (4m, 11f) aged from 54-94 years (mean 75.5±11.7 years) with occult (73%) or predominantly classic (27%) CNV were included into the study. Patients were followed for 12 months. VA showed significant increase from baseline to the 12 months visit (ETDRS Letters: 56.6±3.0 vs 68.8±4.1; p<0.01). We observed no moderate or severe loss of visual acuity during follow-up. In FA no evidence of a leaking CNV was detected at last follow-up. Central retinal thickness showed significant reduction from baseline (BL) to the 12 months visit. (CRT(BL): 322±63 µm vs. CRT(12month): 228±82 µm; p<0.01).

Conclusions: We used same-day administration of verteporfin PDT and ranibizumab as combination therapy for predominant classic CNV secondary to ARMD. This therapeutic approach leads visual gain after 12 months follow-up. Support: Novartis