Combined argon laser photocoagulation and antivascular endothelial growth factor for management of macular polypoidal...

To evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy of argon laser photocoagulation and intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection in idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) involving macula.

A retrospective interventional study involving 12 eyes of 11 patients diagnosed with PCV involving the macula on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Intravitreal anti-VEGF was given in eyes with significant subretinal/sub retinal pigment epithelium hemorrhage or exudation. ICGA-guided focal laser was done to extrafoveal leaking polyps. Mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and regression of polyp as seen on ICGA were evaluated at the final follow-up.

It was done using SPSS 17.0. - Mann-Whitney test.

12 eyes of 11 patients underwent argon laser with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. Ten patients were males and one female. Mean age was 65.75 ± 5.2 years. The mean number of injections given was 3.66 ± 1.5 (2-6) per eye. Mean number of laser sessions required was 1.33 ± 0.65 (1-3) per eye. BCVA improved in 25% (n = 3), remained stable in stable in 50% (n = 6) eyes, and decreased in 25% (n = 3) eyes. The regression of polypoidal lesions on ICGA was seen in 75% (n = 9) of eyes. Persistent subretinal fluid seen in 25% (n = 3) of eyes. The mean duration of follow-up was 15.41 ± 10.27 (3-36) months.

Combined argon laser photocoagulation with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection helps in decreasing exudation and results in stabilization of the disease with visual improvement in eyes with PCV involving macula.