Combined intravitreal ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy for retinal angiomatous proliferation

To clarify the efficacy of combined therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab injections and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with symptomatic retinal angiomatous proliferation.

Retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series.

We retrospectively reviewed 20 treatment-naïve eyes of 16 patients (8 men, 8 women; age range, 79 to 92 years; mean age, 84.8 years) treated with 3 consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL) and PDT and followed up for at least 12 months. PDT was applied 1 or 2 days after the initial injection. Retreatment was performed as a combined therapy of a single intravitreal ranibizumab injection and PDT.

The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) levels significantly improved from 0.24 at baseline to 0.43 at 12 months (P < .001). The mean improvement in BCVA at 12 months from baseline was 2.51 lines. The BCVA at 12 months improved in 10 eyes (improved by 3 lines or more) and was stable (defined as a loss of less than 3 lines of vision) in 10 eyes. No patient had a decrease in the BCVA of 3 lines or more during any 12 months. The central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 444 μm at baseline to 143 μm at 12 months (P < .0001). Complete occlusion of the retinal-retinal anastomosis was achieved in 17 of the 19 eyes at 12 months. The mean numbers of PDT treatments and injections during 12 months, including the treatments in the initial regimen, were 1.8 and 3.8, respectively. No complications or systemic adverse events developed.

Combined intravitreal ranibizumab and PDT for patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation effectively maintained or improved visual acuity and reduced the exudation without adverse events.