MyVisionTest News Archive
Jul 20, 2009
PDT and Avastin combo therapy for pigment epithelial detachment
Combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal Avastin (bevacizumab) injection is effective in the treatment of serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study.
A PED occurs when fluid enters the space between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid (Figure). A serous PED is when aqueous fluid enters this space, a hemorrhage PED is when blood does. PEDs are often seen in eyes with various types of choroidal vascular abnormalities in exudative AMD, such as choroidal neovascularization, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and retinal angiomatous proliferation. There is currently no effective treatment for PED, although photodynamic therapy and anti-VEGF have been used with some success. Treatment of large PEDs with anti-VEGF agents have been associated with RPE tears.
Twenty-two eyes with a serous PED exceeding two disc areas associated with AMD with choroidal vascular abnormalities [choroidal neovascularization (n = 10), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (n = 9), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (n = 3)] received combined PDT and intravitreal Avastin, and were followed about every 6 weeks for more than 1 year. Additional treatments were given for residual or recurrent lesions. The main outcome measures were changes in the PED height measured by optical coherence tomography, and the best-corrected visual acuity.
After one treatment, the PED resolved in 12 eyes (55%) and the PED decreased in ten eyes (45%). There was no recurrence in eight (36%) eyes; however, PED recurred in 14 eyes. At 1 year, the average PED height decreased to 413 microns from the baseline 751 microns (p < 0.001). Twenty eyes (91%) had improved or stabilized vision; two eyes had decreased vision due to a retinal pigment epithelial tear and subretinal hemorrhage.
The researchers conclude that combined PDT and intravitreal Avastin may decrease the PED height and stabilize visual acuity at 1 year.
Read more...
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2009;247(7):899-906
Tags: wet AMD, pigment epithelial detachment, Avastin, photodynamic therapy, combo therapy
Combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal Avastin (bevacizumab) injection is effective in the treatment of serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study.A PED occurs when fluid enters the space between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid (Figure). A serous PED is when aqueous fluid enters this space, a hemorrhage PED is when blood does. PEDs are often seen in eyes with various types of choroidal vascular abnormalities in exudative AMD, such as choroidal neovascularization, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and retinal angiomatous proliferation. There is currently no effective treatment for PED, although photodynamic therapy and anti-VEGF have been used with some success. Treatment of large PEDs with anti-VEGF agents have been associated with RPE tears.
After one treatment, the PED resolved in 12 eyes (55%) and the PED decreased in ten eyes (45%). There was no recurrence in eight (36%) eyes; however, PED recurred in 14 eyes. At 1 year, the average PED height decreased to 413 microns from the baseline 751 microns (p < 0.001). Twenty eyes (91%) had improved or stabilized vision; two eyes had decreased vision due to a retinal pigment epithelial tear and subretinal hemorrhage.
The researchers conclude that combined PDT and intravitreal Avastin may decrease the PED height and stabilize visual acuity at 1 year.
Read more...
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2009;247(7):899-906
