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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
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Published on: August 11, 2023
Reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy nonresponsive to ranibizumab
Background And Objective:
To evaluate the effect of reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) on polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) unresponsive to intravitreal ranibizumab.
Patients And Methods:
Patients with PCV unresponsive to ranibizumab administered 3 months consecutively who then received reduced-fluence PDT were retrospectively surveyed. Nonresponders were defined as patients having no reduction in intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid after 3 consecutive treatments.
Results:
In total, 22 of 104 eyes (21.2%) were non-responders, and 16 of 22 nonresponders received reduced-fluence PDT. Nine eyes achieved complete fluid resolution, and six had reduced but persistent fluid. In one eye, fluid persisted at 6 months despite an additional anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection after reduced-fluence PDT. Mean macular thickness decreased significantly at 3 and 6 months after PDT, but the mean visual acuity was worse than baseline.
Conclusion:
Reduced-fluence PDT in nonresponders gradually decreased intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid over several months but did not maintain visual acuity.
