Verteporfin therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration: additional information regarding baseline lesion composition’s impact on vision outcomes Report Summary
Verteporfin therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration: additional information regarding baseline lesion composition’s impact on vision outcomes Report Summary
Verteporfin therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration: additional information regarding baseline lesion composition’s impact on vision outcomes Report Summary
Author or authors of report : Neil M Bressler, Jennifer Arnold, Mustapha Benchaboune, Mark S Blumenkranz, Gary E Fish, Evangelos S Gragoudas, Hilel Lewis, Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, Jason S Slakter, Susan B Bressler, Kelly Manos, Yong Hao, Laurie Hayes, John Koester, Al Reaves, H Andrew
The study aimed to explore the influence of baseline lesion composition on vision outcomes in patients with AMD treated with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Patients were categorized into two subgroups based on baseline color photographs and fluorescein angiograms: predominantly classic CNV and minimally classic CNV. Additional analyses were performed to investigate the effects of various factors like visual acuity, lesion size, and micronutrient use on vision outcomes.
Main Outcome Measures:
The study examined vision and fluorescein angiographic outcomes at 1 and 2 years after study enrollment through an intent-to-treat analysis from two multicenter, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.
Results:
Patients with predominantly classic CNV had worse initial mean visual acuity and smaller lesions compared to those with minimally classic CNV. In the subgroup with predominantly classic lesions, verteporfin-treated patients had consistently better visual acuity outcomes. Outcomes were also better for patients with predominantly classic lesions without occult CNV compared to those with occult CNV. Contrast sensitivity and fluorescein angiographic outcomes were better in verteporfin-treated patients in both subgroups. No interaction of the treatment benefit was noted by phakic status, micronutrient use, or prior laser photocoagulation therapy.
Conclusions:
Verteporfin therapy can safely reduce the risk of moderate and severe vision loss in patients with predominantly classic CNV secondary to AMD. The benefit seemed to be even greater in the absence of occult CNV. The study supports the use of verteporfin therapy for patients with AMD who have predominantly classic CNV and suggests that further investigations should be performed for lesions with a minimally classic composition.
