Combination therapy of intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization

To evaluate the six months follow-up outcome of combined intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization compared to PDT alone.

Prospective interventional pilot study.

Patients with six months follow-up of IVTA following PDT (Group I, eight eyes) and PDT alone (Group II, eight eyes) were included. Four mg/ 0.1 ml of IVTA was injected 7-10 days following PDT. The patients were reevaluated every month for the first two months and every three months thereafter in both the groups.

Group I: The mean age was 65.8+/-11.8 years (range: 47-79 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 11 (mean: 1.36). At six months, one eye had >or= 10 letters gain and three eyes had > 10 letters loss. Four eyes had stable vision. Two eyes (25%) developed increased intraocular pressure (>40 mmHg) during follow-up. Group II: The mean age was 58.7+/-11.7 years (range: 46-76 years). Five patients were male. The total treatment sessions in six months were 17 (mean: 2.13). At six months, six eyes had >or= 10 letters gain and none had > 10 letters loss. Two eyes had stable vision.

The mean number of treatment sessions following combination therapy of IVTA (4 mg) and PDT appears relatively less (1.36 at six months) compared to PDT alone (mean: 2.13). (P =0.02).