Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy treatment options: A meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Medical Treatments

Background:

• Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is often treated with combined intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT).
• Limited clinical evidence exists regarding the efficacy and safety of this combined treatment approach for PCV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of combined anti-VEGF and PDT treatment versus monotherapy for PCV.
• To evaluate outcomes including visual acuity, retinal thickness, and polyp regression.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis was conducted on 20 studies (3 RCTs, 19 retrospective) involving 1,178 PCV patients.
• Primary outcomes: changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT).
• Secondary outcome: proportion of patients with polyp regression.

Main Results:

• Combined therapy significantly improved BCVA compared to PDT monotherapy at multiple time points (3-24 months).
• Combined therapy showed greater BCVA improvements than anti-VEGF monotherapy at 6 and 24 months.
• Significantly greater polyp regression was observed with combined therapy versus anti-VEGF monotherapy at 3 and ≥6 months.

Conclusions:

• Combined anti-VEGF and PDT therapy may offer superior long-term outcomes for PCV patients compared to monotherapy.
• This combination demonstrates enhanced efficacy in improving visual acuity and achieving polyp regression.