Two-year results of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab for typical age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

To report the 2-year results of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RF-PDT) combined with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for typical age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Twenty-four previously untreated eyes of 23 AMD patients with decimal best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of less than 0.7 received the combined therapy, followed by retreatments as needed over the subsequent 2 years. When the BCVA was better than or equal to 0.7, only 3 monthly IVR injections were performed during the retreatment. The BCVAs were maintained in 7 of 10 typical AMD eyes and in 13 of 14 PCV eyes at month 24. The mean BCVA improved in the PCV group (P < 0.05) but not in the typical AMD group. The central foveal thickness decreased in both groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The mean numbers of the total PDT and IVR injections were 1.8 and 7.2 in the typical AMD group and 1.8 and 6.4 in the PCV group. After RF-PDT combined therapy with administration of retreatments as needed that consisted of either 3 IVR injections alone or combined therapy, the BCVA was maintained in typical AMD and improved in PCV during a 2-year follow-up period.