Abstract
Based on data from multicentric studies the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with VEGF inhibitors has recently become a more and more standard procedure. Nevertheless, the proper end point of the treatment and also the adequate interval between single injections have not been defined yet. In subtypes of AMD associated with pigment epithelium detachment. (PED) the natural course as well as laser coagulation treatment and photodynamic therapy (PDT) showed unsatisfactory results. The main cause of decreased visual acuity has proven to be recurrence of choroidal neovascularisation and ruptures of the pigment epithelium (RIP). This retrospective study presents the clinical results following a change of the injected VEGF inhibitor after ineffective initial therapy. 15 patients with serous PED, 7 patients with PED associated with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) exhibited insufficient stabilisation after initial treatment with pegaptanib (Macugen). Therefore we continued treatment with ranibizumab (Lucentis). The mean age was 74.67 years. Best corrected visual acuity was evaluated with logMAR. Additional morphological parameters were fovea full thickness (OCT), measurement of the height of pigment epithelium detachment and finally fluorescein and indocyaningreen angiography. In cases of functional and morphological deterioration, we changed the treatment from 1.25 mg pegaptanib (Macugen) to 0.5 mg ranbizumab (Lucentis). During the mean follow-up of 46.5 weeks (95 % CI 35.9 - 57.1) no RIP occurred. After changing the drug, visual acuity showed a stabilisation or improvement in 11 cases. Also the height of PED decreased after beginning with ranbizumab. Regarding the therapeutic outcome, no difference between eyes with serous PED caused by occult CNV or RAP could be observed. Treatment using VEGF inhibitors in patients suffering from AMD with exudative serious PED has proven to be effective regarding both the morphological damage and functional injuries. In cases of therapeutic failure after pegaptanib functional and/or morphological stabilisation of the course of this disease can be achieved by changing to ranbizumab. Nevertheless, prospective clinical studies with a larger number of patients are necessary for confirmation of these findings.
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