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One-year outcomes of half-fluence photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept for pachychoroid neovasculopathy without polypoidal lesions

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the 1-year efficacy of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (HFPDT) combined with intravitreal aflibercept injection on treatment-naïve pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) without polypoidal lesions.

Study design

Retrospective, interventional case series

Patients and methods

We retrospectively studied 21 eyes with treatment-naïve PNV and assessed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), pachyvessel vertical diameter, and choroidal neovascularization thickness (CNVT) at the fovea over a 12-month period.

Results

The median BCVA was 0.15 at baseline, 0.00 (P < .05) at 3 months, 0.05 at 6 months, and -0.08 (P < .05) at 12 months. The BCVA was significantly improved at 3 months and 12 months as compared with the baseline BCVA. The median CMT was 230 μm at baseline, 140 μm (P < .01) at 3 months, 150 μm (P < .01) at 6 months, and 150 μm (P < .01) at 12 months. The median CCT was 386 μm at baseline, 347 μm (P < .01) at 3 months, 331 μm (P < .01) at 6 months, and 352 μm (P < .01) at 12 months. The median pachyvessel vertical diameter was 309 μm at baseline, 246 μm (P < .01) at 3 months, 232 μm (P < .01) at 6 months, and 242 μm (P < .01) at 12 months. The median CNVT was 28 μm at baseline, 17 μm (P < .01) at 3 months, 19 μm (P < .05) at 6 months, and 21 μm (P < .05) at 12 months. The CMT, CCT, pachyvessel vertical diameter, and CNVT were significantly decreased at 3, 6, and 12 months as compared with those at baseline. Whilst 17 eyes (81.0%) showed no signs of CNV recurrence during the 12-month period, 4 eyes (19.0%) required additional combination therapy.

Conclusions

HFPDT combined with intravitreal aflibercept injection may effectively improve BCVA and ameliorate exudative changes in eyes with PNV without polypoidal lesions for up to 1 year.

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Acknowledgements

Author contributions are as follows: design and conduct of the study (H.M., R.M., M.M.); data collection (H.M., Y.K.), management (H.M.), and analysis (H.M., R.M.); interpretation of the results (H.M.); preparation of the article (H.M.); review and approval of the manuscript for submission (R.M., H.A.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Gunma University School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan

    Hidetaka Matsumoto, Ryo Mukai, Yuka Kikuchi, Masahiro Morimoto & Hideo Akiyama

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  1. Hidetaka Matsumoto
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  2. Ryo Mukai
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Correspondence to Hidetaka Matsumoto.

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H. Matsumoto, None; R. Mukai, None; Y. Kikuchi, None; M. Morimoto, None; H. Akiyama, None.

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Corresponding Author: Hidetaka Matsumoto

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Matsumoto, H., Mukai, R., Kikuchi, Y. et al. One-year outcomes of half-fluence photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept for pachychoroid neovasculopathy without polypoidal lesions. Jpn J Ophthalmol 64, 203–209 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-020-00722-7

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