RESULTS
OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY (PDT)
"International and Local Experiences"
What is the efficacy in terms of international experiences of treating choroidal neovascularization in AMD and high myopia?
In a randomized controlled trial in 609 AMD patients with a follow-up of 12 months, AMD patients treated with PDT lost > 3 lines of vision in 39% as compared with the placebo group of 54%. The result of the study was important as the treatment can reduce the risk of moderate or severe loss of vision in many patients, who in the past had no other proven effective treatment. For details, please refer to the full article (Arch Ophthalmol 1999;117:1329-45) published in "Archives of Ophthalmology".
The result of a 12-month study in 120 high myopia maculopathy patients also showed treatment benefits. Until now, not much could be offered to this group of patients who are usually young and vision is critical to their works and lives. Patient having received PDT treatment lost > 3 lines of vision in 14% as compared with the control group of 33%. For details, please refer to the full article (Ophthalmology 2001;108:841-52) published in "Ophthalmology".
How about the experiences of Hong Kong and how do the local results compare with the international ones?
The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong is the first center in the Asia to start the treatment. Till now, more than 90 patients have received the treatment. The majority of patients are suffering from AMD (51) or high myopia (20). Analysis is made only for those who have been followed up for at least four months after PDT. Below are two tables summarizing the short-term results: -
Results in the AMD Group
|
AMD
Group
|
International
Experience
TAP study 1-year follow-up |
Hong
Kong Experience
Mean follow-up 8.7 month(31 eyes) |
|
|
Control
|
PDT
|
||
|
VA
gain 1 line or more
|
7%
|
16%
|
32%
|
|
VA
no gain or loss
|
16%
|
22%
|
29%
|
|
VA
loss 3 lines or more
|
54%
|
39%
|
16%
|
VA=Visual Acuity
Results in the High Myopia Group
|
High
Myopia Group
|
International
Experience
VIP study 1-year follow-up |
Hong
Kong Experience
Mean follow-up 7.5 month(10 eyes) |
|
|
Control
|
PDT
|
||
|
VA
gain 1 line or more
|
15%
|
32%
|
60%
|
|
VA
no gain or loss
|
28%
|
30%
|
20%
|
|
VA
loss 3 lines or more
|
33%
|
14%
|
0%
|
VA=Visual
Acuity