Combined treatment of exudative age related macular degeneration with photodynamic therapy and intravitreal triamcinolone

Review

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Authors: José Mª Ruiz-Moreno, Javier A Montero

Published Date March 2008 Volume 2008:2(1) Pages 71 - 75

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S1643

José Mª Ruiz-Moreno^1,2, Javier A Montero²

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Miguel Hernández University School of Medicine, Alicante, Spain; ²Vitreo-Retinal Unit, Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology, Alicante, Spain

Abstract: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age related macular degeneration is among the leading causes of legal blindness in developed countries. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin induces CNV closure causing little damage to healthy tissue, but the need to re-treat may lead to low final visual acuity at an unacceptable cost. The association of intravitreous triamcinolone or antiangiogenic drugs with PDT has been used in order to reduce these limitations of the therapy. The combination of PDT and intravitreous triamcinolone, its complications and outcome at one and two-year follow-up are discussed.

Keywords: age related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, photodynamic therapy, steroid, triamcinolone