Photodynamic therapy with IVA effective in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injections using a treat-and-extend (TAE) strategy improves anatomical and visual function in patients with treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) similar to IVA monotherapy with higher odds of complete regression of polyps, according to a study.

In this study, 109 eyes were treated with PDT combined with IVA (n = 51) or IVA monotherapy (n = 58). Patients were followed for 2 years.

After the loading phase, significant improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were seen in both groups, which were maintained for 2 years. After 2 years, there were significant reductions in central macular thickness (CMT) and central choroidal thickness (CCT) in both groups without significant differences after. There was also no significant difference between groups in the mean number of IVA injections.

The ratios of polyp regression after the loading phase in the IVA monotherapy group were 55.2% compared with 94.1% in the PDT plus IVA group (P<0.0001).

Reference
Miyakubo T, Mukai R, Matsumoto H, et al. Comparison of the 2-Year Results of Photodynamic Therapy with Aflibercept and Aflibercept Monotherapy for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy. Clin Ophthalmol. 2023;17:571-577. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S386222. PMID: 36817637; PMCID: PMC9930588.