Photodynamic and Anti-VEGF Therapy for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy - ‘Real World’ Outcomes in a Caucasian Population

The prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is significantly higher amongst Asian populations compared to Caucasian, and evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of Caucasian patients is limited.

This retrospective study sought to investigate real-world clinical outcomes of Caucasian PCV patients treated with polypoidal verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with anti-VEGF therapy up to 36 months post-treatment.

Consecutive PCV patients who received PDT between 2011 and 2017 were included. Mean change in visual acuity (VA) measured by ETDRS letter score and mean change in central subfield thickness (CST) were the main outcome measures. Data were collected at baseline, 3, 12, 24 and 36 months. Regression analyses were carried out on pre-treatment clinical features to determine if there were any factors associated with a good visual outcome (better than or equal to 70 ETDRS letters at 12 months).

Seventy six patients (96% Caucasian) and seventy eight eyes were included in the analysis. Mean change in VA was -1, -4, and 0 ETDRS letters at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. CST was reduced by a mean of -51, -54, and -55 microns at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. Better pre-treatment VA was the only pre-treatment clinical feature associated with a good visual outcome at 12 months (OR 1.16, p<0.001).

PDT, in combination with anti-VEGF therapy, maintains VA and may reduce the anti-VEGF therapy burden in Caucasian patients with PCV. Better pre-treatment VA is associated with a good visual outcome.