ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to investigate the primary treatment tentatively. MethodsA systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Wanfang Data was performed to identify all comparative studies that compared the outcomes of PDT alone, intravitreal VEGF inhibitors alone and combined intravitreal VEGF inhibitors and photodynamic therapy. Outcomes of interest included the regression and recurrence rate of polypoidal lesions, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), therapeutic times, and the occurrence rate of adverse events. 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 19 non-RTCs were identified. According to treatment methods, the data extracted was classified to 3 groups, analyzed with odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95%confidence interval (95%CI). ResultsMeta-analysis suggests that the regression rate of polypoidal lesions (OR=0.34, 0.07; 95%CI=0.13-0.88, 0.02-0.36) and BCVA (WMD=0.25, 0.11; 95%CI=0.14-0.36, 0.01-0.21) in combined therapy group were significantly better than those in PDT group and intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate of polypoidal lesions in PDT group was significantly lower than intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group (OR=0.35, 95%CI=0.16-0.74, P=0.006). BCVA (P=0.025) and the occurrence rate of adverse events (OR=60.36, 95%CI=6.04-603.50, P=0.000 5) in intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group were significant better than PDT group. ConclusionsCombined treatment appeared to be superior to PDT alone or intravitreal VEGF inhibitors alone. Combined treatment takes priority over all others in the primary treatment of PCV.
Objective To observe the characteristics of optical coherence tomography（OCT）in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) before and after photodynamic therapy (PDT), and investigate its relationship with visual acuity. Methods Thirty-four PCV patients (40 eyes) diagnosed by fundus fluoresce angiography and indocyanine green angiography who had underwent the treatment of PDT, were enrolled in this study. The logMAR corrected visual acuity (CVA) were detected and the height and the base diameter of retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED）and retinal detachment (RD), central subfield thickness (CST), macular volume (MV) were measured by OCT before and after treatment. Before the treatment, the mean logMAR CVA was 0.66plusmn;0.32 and visible PED and RD were seen on OCT images. The OCT characteristics and relationship with visual acuity were comparatively analyzed. Results One, three, six and 12 months after treatment, the mean logMAR CVA were 0.58plusmn;0.27, 0.48plusmn;0.38, 0.51plusmn;0.37 and 0.50plusmn;0.36. The differences of CVA were statistically significant between beforetreatment and three, 12 months after treatment(t=2.32,2.10; P＜0.05),but not between beforetreatment and one,six months after treatment (t=1.22,1.961;P＞0.05). The differences of the height and the base diameter of PED were statistically significant between before treatment and six,12 months after treatment (t=2.34,2.03;P＜0.05),but not between before treatment and one, three months after treatment (t=1.07,1.50;P＞0.05). The differences of the height (t=2.22,2.99,3.30,3.95) and the base diameter (t=2.55,3.33,3.11,3.92) of RD were statistically significant between before treatment and one, three, six and 12 months after treatment (P＜0.05). The differences of CST (t=2.71,3.55,3.81,3.21) and MV (t=2.10,3.30,3.62,4.18) were statistically significant between before treatment and one, three, six and 12 months after treatment (P＜0.05). CVA had negative correlation with the base diameter of PED, the height and the base diameter of RD, CST and MV (r=-0.88,-0.89,-0.92,-0.86,-0.94;P＜0.05), no correlation with the height of PED (r=-0.70,P＞0.05). Conclusions The height and the base diameter of PED and RD, CST, MV of PCV are decrease after PDT. There is a negative correlation between CVA and the base diameter of PED,the height and the base diameter of RD,CST and MV.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and its correlation with the visual acuity after photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal ranibizumab. MethodsTwenty-six eyes of 26 patients with PCV diagnosed by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were enrolled in this study. All the patients were examined for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp microscope, SD-OCT, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and ICGA before and 1, 3 months after treatment. The mean baseline BCVA was (31.46±16.87) letters, mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was (581.19±309.05) μm, and mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was (248.92±95.45) μm. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the final visual improvement after 6 month of treatment: GR or sensitive Group (17 eyes) and PR or non-sensitive Group (9 eyes). GR group included 12 males and 5 females, with a mean age of (65.24±7.03) years, a mean CRT of (619.06±335.07) μm and a mean SFCT of (271.24±106.61) μm. There were 4 eyes with subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), 2 eyes with interface retinal fluid (IRF), 13 eyes with subretinal fluids (SRF) and 15 eyes with pigment epithelial detachment (PED). PR group included 8 males and 1female, with a mean age of (64.00±7.02) years, a mean CRT of (509.67±255.21) μm and a mean SFCT of (271.24±106.61) μm. There were 6 eyes with subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), 5 eyes with interface retinal fluid (IRF), 6 eyes with subretinal fluids (SRF) and 8 eyes with pigment epithelial detachment (PED). The difference of sex, age, CRT and SFCT between these two groups was not significant (P>0.05). The relationship of baseline SD-OCT and post-treatment BCVA was analyzed. ResultsOn 1, 2, 3, 6 months after treatment, the BCVA were (38.46±19.81), (40.04±20.80), (42.96±21.63), (43.77±20.91) letters respectively. On 6 months after treatment, the mean CRT in GR and PR group were (360.71±276.54), (341.44±193.68) μm respectively (P>0.05). 64.71% (11/17) eyes in GR group and 22.22% (2/9) eyes in PR group had a SFCT thicker than 263μm. The difference was statistical significant between two groups [odds ratio (OR):0.052, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.005-0.533; P=0.013]. Logistic regression analysis showed that existence of IRF (OR=9.375, 95% CI: 1.299-67.645; P=0.026) or SRH (OR=6.500, 95% CI: 1.094-38.633; P=0.040) at baseline was negative prognostic factor to treatment. ConclusionThick SFCT is a protective factor, however, existence of IRF or SRH at baseline is negative prognostic factor of final visual improvement.
The pathogenesis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is still controversial. More evidence of clinical and basic research is needed to distinguish PCV from an independent disease to a subtype of age-related macular degeneration. Not only that, there are also many puzzles in the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis of PCV. In addition to these common problems, we also face a large population with risk factors, a large number of PCV patients with multiple and complex challenges in China. There is a long way to go to reduce the damage effects of PCV on visual function. To fulfil this goal, we need make full use of the huge resources of PCV patients and turn these challenges into opportunities, and contribute the improvement of diagnosis and better understanding of PCV pathogenesis.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), ranibizumab and C3F8 in the treatment of early submacular hemorrhage (SMH) induce to polypoid choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).MethodsThe clinical data of 20 eyes of 20 patients with early SMH induce to PCV were enrolled in this study. The duration of bleeding in the eye was 7 to 28 days, and the mean duration of bleeding was 14.8±5.6 days. All eyes are measured using the Snellen chart best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) was used to calculate visual acuity. Measure central retinal thickness (CRT) and central retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) thickness using frequency-domain optical coherence tomography. The average logMAR BCVA of eyes was 1.73±0.91; the mean CRT was 620.0±275.8 μm; the average central PED thickness was 720.3±261.9 μm. All eyes receive intravitreal injection of t-PA, ranibizumab and C3F8. The intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was administered once a month for 3 consecutive months, followed by an on-demand treatment plan. Mean follow-up time was 9.9±3.6 months. The changes in BCVA, CRT, central PED thickness and clearance degree of SMH at 6 months after treatment were observed.ResultsOn the 6 months after treatment, the average logMAR BCVA, CRT and central PED thickness of the eyes were respectively 0.42±0.37, 290.2±97.4 μm and 41.6±78.1 μm. Compared with baseline, the after treatment BCVA was significantly increased (F=38.14, P=0.000), but the CRT and central PED were significantly decreased (F=7.48, 75.94; P=0.000, 0.000). Among the 20 eyes, 16 eyes of SMH was completely cleared, accounting for 80%;4 eyes was partially cleared, accounting for 20%. No recurrence and systemic or local complications occurred during follow-up of all eyes.ConclusionIntravitreal injection of t-PA, ranibizumab, and C3F8 in the treatment of early SMH induce to PCV can effectively remove SMH, improve vision, reduce CRT and central thickness of PED.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone or in combined with ranibizumab versus ranibizumab monotherapy (intravitreal injection, IVR) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods80 eyes of 72 patients with PCV were enrolled into this retrospective and comparative study according to their therapeutic plan. 30 eyes of 28 patients, 28 eyes of 30 patients and 22 eyes of 21 patients were divided into PDT group, ranibizumab 0.5 mg group (IVR group) or the combination group, respectively. The patients with PCV were diagnosed according to clinical symptoms, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescent indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before treatment was more than 0.05, and there was no retinal fibrosis and scar for all patients. There was no statistical difference of age (F=0.187), gender (χ2=0.423), average BCVA (F=1.120) and central retinal thickness (CRT) (F=0.431) among three groups (P > 0.05). They had not received any treatment before. Patients received verteporfin PDT in PDT group, 3 consecutive monthly IVRs starting day 1 in IVR group, and 3 IVRs after 3 days, 1 month, 2 months of PDT starting day 1 in combination group. Re-treatment was considered 3 months later if the follow up shown no changes in fundus photography, OCT and ICGA. The average follow-up time was 19 months. BCVA at baseline and follow-up visit at 1, 3, 6, 12 months was measured, and the proportion of patients with ICGA-assessed complete regression of polyps at month 6 was recorded as primary outcome. The CRT was measured at baseline and 6 months as secondary outcome. ResultsThere were significant difference of BCVA at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months among three groups(F=5.480, 5.249, 3.222, 4.711; P < 0.05). The average BCVA was significantly better at 1, 3, 6, 12 month than that at baseline(t=-6.632, -4.127, -3.904, -4.494; P < 0.05) in combination group, and was significantly better at 3, 6, 12 months than that at baseline (t=-5.636, -3.039, -3.833; P < 0.05) in IVR group. However there was no significant difference of the average BCVA in PDT group between follow-up at 1, 3, 6, l 2 months and baseline (t=1.973, 0.102, -0.100, -0.761; P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with complete regression of polyps at 6 months was higher in PDT (76.7%) or combination group (68.2%) than IVR group (35.7%) (χ2=0.003, 0.025; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of CRT among 3 groups at baseline (P=0.651). The mean CRT decreased in all 3 treatment groups over 6 months (t=5.120, 3.635, 5.253; P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference of CRT among 3 groups (F=1.293, P > 0.05). ConclusionsThree therapies could effectively decrease CRT. IVR or IVR combined with PDT are both more effective than PDT therapy to improve vision of PCV patients. PDT or PDT combined with IVR was superior to IVR pnly in achieving complete regression of polyps in 6 months in PCV patients.