Chinese medicine formula HB01 for treating exudative age-related macular degeneration: a 6 consecutive months of clinical observation study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chinese medicine formula HB01 on exudative age-related macular degeneration(AMD) patients who received HB01 for 6 months by analyzing relative indexes.METHODS: From July 2006 to August 2015, 139 eligible exudative AMD patients(183 eyes) were enrolled into this study and received aqueous extract from herbs of HB01 by oral twice a day(100 m L for once) for 6 months. The best corrected visual acuity, center macular thickness(CMT), hemorrhage area, fluorescein leakage area as the main outcomes were estimated and compared before and after treatment.RESULTS: After 3 and 6 months of treatment, visual acuity obtained a greater improvement(P < 0.01).After 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment, CMT obviously decreased(P < 0.05). After 3 and 6 months of treatment, the hemorrhage area and fluorescein leakage area also significantly narrowed(P < 0.01).During treatment, no significant adverse events relating to HB01 treatment were elucidated.CONCLUSION: On the basis of these results, HB01 could improve visual acuity, and reduce hemorrhage and fluorescein leakage of patients with exudative AMD, which may be an effective alternative and supportive treatment for exudative AMD.