Comparison of the 2-Year Results of Photodynamic Therapy with Aflibercept and Aflibercept Monotherapy for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the efficacies of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injections and IVA monotherapy using a treat-and-extend regimen (TAE) for treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Patients and Methods

One hundred and nine eyes treated with PDT combined with IVA (PDT+IVA group: 51 eyes) or IVA monotherapy (IVA group: 58 eyes) were assessed for 2 years. The main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), number of IVA injections, and macular atrophy (MA). Polypoidal lesions before and after the loading phase were assessed using indocyanine green angiography.

Results

In both groups, BCVA significantly improved after the loading phase and was maintained for 2 years. CMT and CCT were significantly reduced in both groups, without significant differences after 2 years between the groups (P=0.2708). The mean number of IVA injections in the IVA and PDT+IVA groups during the 2 years were 13.2±3.3 and 12.7±1.8, respectively, without a significant difference (P=0.06). The frequencies of MA expansion in the IVA and PDT+IVA groups during the 2 years were 25.9% and 33.4%, respectively, with no significant difference in the incidence (odds ratio: 1.40, P=0.4253). The ratios of polyp regression after the loading phase in the IVA and PDT+IVA groups were 55.2% and 94.1%, respectively, with a significant difference (P<0.0001).

Conclusion

PDT combined with IVA injections using a TAE regimen is effective for anatomical and visual function improvement, without a significant difference as compared to IVA monotherapy. It can facilitate complete regression of polyps with higher odds.

Keywords:

• polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
• aflibercept
• photodynamic therapy
• treat-and-extend
• macular atrophy

Consent to Participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent to Publish

The authors affirm that human research participants provided informed consent for the publication of the images in Figures (1A–C and 2).

Ethics Approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Gunma university graduate school of medicine (No. HS2020-172).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.