Best-corrected Visual Acuity Letter Score Research Articles

Bevacizumab Monotherapy or Combined with Laser versus Laser Monotherapy in Mongolian Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab monotherapy and bevacizumab therapy combined with laser therapy versus laser monotherapy in Mongolian patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: One hundred twelve eligible patients, aged ^18 years, with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the study eye of 35 to 69 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at 4 m (Snellen equivalent: >6/60 or <6/12), and with visual impairment due to center-involved DME were included in the study. Patients were randomized into three treatment groups: (1) intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy (n = 42), (2) intravitreal bevacizumab combined with laser therapy (n = 35), and (3) laser monotherapy (n = 35). Bevacizumab injections were given for three initial monthly doses and then pro re nata thereafter based on BCVA stability and DME progression. The primary efficacy endpoints were the mean change in BCVA and central retinal subfield thickness from baseline to month 12. Results: Bevacizumab monotherapy and bevacizumab + laser were superior to laser monotherapy in improving the mean change in BCVA letter score from baseline to month 12 (+8.3 and +11.3 vs +1.1 letters; both p ><0.0001). At month 12, a greater proportion of patients gained >10 and >15 letters and had a BCVA letter score >73 (Snellen equivalent: >6/12) with bevacizumab monotherapy (23.8% and 7.1% and 4.8%, respectively) and bevacizumab + laser (57.1% and 28.6% and 14.3%, respectively) versus laser monotherapy (0% and 0% and 0%, respectively). The mean central retinal subfield thickness was significantly reduced from baseline to month 12 with bevacizumab (-124.4 pm) and bevacizumab + laser (-129.0 pm) versus laser (-62.0 pm; both p = 0.002). Conjunctival hemorrhage was the most common ocular event. No endophthalmitis cases occurred. Conclusion: Bevacizumab monotherapy or bevacizumab + laser showed superior BCVA improvements over macular laser treatment alone in Mongolian patients with visual impairment due to DME.

Predictors of Functional and Anatomic Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema Treated with Ranibizumab

To investigate baseline predictors of month 24 best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated monthly with ranibizumab or sham. Post hoc analysis of DME patients in 2 identical phase 3 studies. Patients randomized to ranibizumab (n = 502) or sham (n = 257). Multivariate regression on predictors with P < 0.20 in univariate logistic regression using backward selection to retain predictors with P < 0.05. Patient characteristics correlating with month 24 BCVA in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter score ≥70 (20/40) or ≤50 (20/100), gain or loss from baseline BCVA of ≥15, or CFT ≤250 μm. Baseline predictors of BCVA ≥20/40 in ranibizumab-treated patients were good BCVA, submacular fluid, no cardiovascular disease, no scatter photocoagulation, and male gender, whereas in sham-treated patients, they were mild increase in CFT, presence of hard exudates in center subfield, and absence of renal disease. Predictors of improvement in BCVA letter score ≥15 in ranibizumab-treated patients were poor BCVA, submacular fluid, young age, and short diabetes duration, and those in sham-treated patients were poor BCVA, young age, and mild increase in CFT. Predictors of resolution of edema (CFT ≤250 μm) in ranibizumab-treated patients were mild foveal thickening and prominent subfoveal fluid, and those in sham-treated patients were poor BCVA, mild foveal thickening, and statin usage. Month 24 BCVA ≤20/100 was predicted by poor baseline BCVA in ranibizumab-treated patients, and by poor baseline BCVA, large intraretinal cystoid spaces, renal disease, and absence of hypercholesterolemia in sham-treated patients. Loss of BCVA ≥15 letters was predicted in sham-treated patients by submacular fluid, intraretinal cystoid spaces, and renal disease. Patients with DME and submacular fluid, intraretinal cysts, severe thickening, or renal disease respond poorly when untreated and respond well to ranibizumab treatment. Elimination of submacular fluid, intraretinal cysts, and severe thickening are important goals of DME treatment, and in patients with renal disease, treatment should be very aggressive, with a goal of eliminating all macular fluid.

RANIBIZUMAB FOR MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2 IN THE ABSENCE OF SUBRETINAL NEOVASCULARIZATION

To evaluate the effects of 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg of ranibizumab in eyes with macular telangiectasia type 2 without subretinal neovascularization. Ten eyes were randomized to either 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab group in 1 eye only. Study eye received ranibizumab at baseline and at Months 1 and 2. Injections at Months 3, 4, and 5 were at investigator's discretion. Participants were followed monthly through 6 months with best-corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. For study eyes at baseline, median best-corrected visual acuity letter score was 60 (20/64 Snellen equivalent) and central subfield retinal thickness was 181.5 μm. Median number of injections was six. Median change in best-corrected visual acuity at Month 3 was 4 letters (range: -5 to 9 letters) at both doses in the study eye and 3 letters (range: -10 to 5 letters) in the untreated fellow eye. At Month 3, retinal leakage decreased 0.87 disk area and 0.76 disk area for 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg ranibizumab, respectively. Median change in central subfield retinal thickness was 1 μm and -11 µm for 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg ranibizumab, respectively. Ranibizumab (0.3 mg or 0.5 mg) decreases leakage secondary to macular telangiectasia type 2, but accompanying improvements in best-corrected visual acuity appear similar to improvements in the untreated fellow eye where retinal thickness is relatively unchanged.

Efficacy and Safety of Ranibizumab Intravitreal Injections versus Laser Photocoagulation in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Objective: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a swelling of the retina resulting from leakage of fluid from blood vessels within the macula (the centre of the retina), it involves retinal thickening and formation of hard exudates that occurs secondary to diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ranibizumab versus laser therapy in DME patients. Methods: A randomized controlled open labeled clinical trial with 4 months duration was performed. 40 Patients with DME were randomly allocated to receive either ranibizumab 0.5mg intravitreal injection monthly for three months or laser photocoagulation at baseline and were evaluated at baseline and one month after completing their treatments. Clinical assessment was done by measuring best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and monitoring of the adverse events. Results: Ranibizumab was superior to laser (P=0.0001) in improving BCVA letter score, mean change from baseline to the end of the study was (+8.75 vs +2.75), with significant increase in VA for both ranibizumab (P < 0.0001) and laser (P = 0.005). The mean CRT was significantly reduced from baseline with ranibizumab (-126.4μm) versus laser (-67.85 μm) both with significant change (P<0.0001). Ranibizumab was better in reducing CRT (P=0.0003). No endophthalmitis and no clinically significant increased intraocular pressure (IOP) for both ranibizumab and laser arms. One case of cataract was reported in laser arm. Other adverse events include eye pain, conjunctival hemorrhage (in both arms), increased lacrimation, foreign body sensation and eye floaters (in ranibizumab arm) and eye pruritus (in the laser arm). There were no systemic adverse events and no deaths reported. Conclusion: Ranibizumab provided significantly superior BCVA and CRT improvement over laser therapy. It had a good safety outcome similar to the established safety profile of ranibizumab. It was well tolerated in DME.

Reading Speed Improvements in Retinal Vein Occlusion After Ranibizumab Treatment

Treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion with ranibizumab has been shown to improve visual acuity compared with macular laser or observation. It is important to determine whether these visual acuity improvements translate into measurable improvements in visual function. To examine the benefit of ranibizumab (Lucentis) on measured reading speed, a direct performance assessment, through 6 months in eyes of patients with macular edema after retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN Two multicenter, double-masked, phase 3 trials in which participants with macular edema after branch RVO or central RVO were randomized 1:1:1 to monthly sham, ranibizumab, 0.3 mg, or ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, for 6 months. Community- and academic-based ophthalmology practices specializing in retinal diseases. Seven hundred eighty-nine eyes of 789 participants who were at least aged 18 years with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion in the branch vein occlusion (BRAVO) and central vein occlusion (CRUISE) trials. Eyes were randomized 1:1:1 to 1 of 3 groups for monthly injections for 6 months: sham (132 in BRAVO and 130 in CRUISE), intravitreal ranibizumab, 0.3 mg (134 in BRAVO and 132 in CRUISE), and intravitreal ranibizumab, 0.5 mg (131 in BRAVO and 130 in CRUISE). Patients were able to receive macular laser after 3 months if they met prespecified criteria. Reading speed in the study eye was measured with enlarged text (letter size equivalent to approximately 20/1500 at the test distance) at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. The number of correctly read words per minute (wpm) was reported. The reading speed test requires a sixth-grade reading level and does not account for literacy or cognitive state. RESULTS In patients with branch RVO, the mean gain for the 0.5-mg group was 31.3 wpm compared with 15.0 wpm in sham-treated eyes (difference, 16.3 wpm; P = .007) at 6 months. In patients with central RVO, the mean gain for the 0.5-mg group was 20.5 wpm compared with 8.1 wpm in sham-treated eyes (difference, 12.4 wpm; P = .01) at 6 months. A gain of 15 or more letters of best-corrected visual acuity letter score corresponded to an increase in reading speed of 12.3 wpm and 15.8 wpm in patients with branch and central RVO, respectively. These results suggest that patients with macular edema after RVO treated monthly with ranibizumab are more likely to have improvements in reading speed of the affected eyes through 6 months compared with sham treatment. These results demonstrate the relevance of the treatment benefit to functional visual gain. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00486018 and NCT00485836.

Electroretinographic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration

To evaluate the effects of high-dose oral omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on electroretinography and omega-3 index in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration. Single institution, prospective, nonrandomized, noncomparative interventional case series comprising 34 eyes of 17 patients older than 50 years of age with early to intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Patients received oral supplementation with 4 g of omega-3 fatty acids daily (840 mg eicosapentaenoic acid/2520 mg docosahexaenoic acid) for 6 months. The main outcome measures included Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity, change in N1 and P1 peak amplitudes on multifocal electroretinographic testing, and change in serum omega-3 index. Mean baseline Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity letter score was 77 letters (Snellen equivalent of 20/32). There were no statistically significant changes in visual acuity (P = .12) or retinal function by multifocal electroretinographic testing. Serum omega-3 index increased by an average of 7.6% during the course of the study (P < .001). Study limitations included the relatively short duration of the study and small number of participants. Short-term supplementation with high doses of omega-3 fatty acids does not result in any measurable changes in visual acuity or retinal function by multifocal electroretinographic testing. Dietary supplementation with 4 g of omega-3 fatty acids results in a significant increase in serum omega-3 index in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration and may provide a useful clinical measure for future studies. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01258335.

Sustained Benefits from Ranibizumab for Macular Edema Following Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: 12-Month Outcomes of a Phase III Study

Assess 12-month efficacy and safety of intraocular injections of 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab in patients with macular edema after branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Prospective, randomized, sham injection-controlled, double-masked, multicenter trial. A total of 397 patients with macular edema after BRVO. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1:1 to 6 monthly injections of 0.3 mg or 0.5 mg ranibizumab or sham injections. After 6 months, all patients with study eye best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤20/40 or central subfield thickness ≥250 μm were to receive ranibizumab. Patients could receive rescue laser treatment once during the treatment period and once during the observation period if criteria were met. The main efficacy outcome reported is mean change from baseline BCVA letter score at month 12. Additional visual and anatomic parameters were assessed. Mean (95% confidence interval) change from baseline BCVA letter score at month 12 was 16.4 (14.5-18.4) and 18.3 (15.8-20.9) in the 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg groups, respectively, and 12.1 (9.6-14.6) in the sham/0.5 mg group (P<0.01, each ranibizumab group vs. sham/0.5 mg). The percentage of patients who gained ≥15 letters from baseline BCVA at month 12 was 56.0% and 60.3% in the 0.3 mg and 0.5 mg groups, respectively, and 43.9% in the sham/0.5 mg group. On average, there was a marked reduction in central foveal thickness (CFT) after the first as-needed injection of 0.5 mg ranibizumab in the sham/0.5 mg group, which was sustained through month 12. No new ocular or nonocular safety events were identified. At month 12, treatment with ranibizumab as needed during months 6-11 maintained, on average, the benefits achieved by 6 monthly ranibizumab injections in patients with macular edema after BRVO, with low rates of ocular and nonocular safety events. In the sham/0.5 mg group, treatment with ranibizumab as needed for 6 months resulted in rapid reduction in CFT to a similar level as that in the 0.3 mg ranibizumab treatment group and an improvement in BCVA, but not to the extent of that in the 2 ranibizumab groups. Intraocular injections of ranibizumab provide an effective treatment for macular edema after BRVO. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

The RESTORE Study: Ranibizumab Monotherapy or Combined with Laser versus Laser Monotherapy for Diabetic Macular Edema

To demonstrate superiority of ranibizumab 0.5 mg monotherapy or combined with laser over laser alone based on mean average change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 12 months in diabetic macular edema (DME). A 12-month, randomized, double-masked, multicenter, laser-controlled phase III study. We included 345 patients aged ≥18 years, with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus and visual impairment due to DME. Patients were randomized to ranibizumab + sham laser (n = 116), ranibizumab + laser (n = 118), or sham injections + laser (n = 111). Ranibizumab/sham was given for 3 months then pro re nata (PRN); laser/sham laser was given at baseline then PRN (patients had scheduled monthly visits). Mean average change in BCVA from baseline to month 1 through 12 and safety. Ranibizumab alone and combined with laser were superior to laser monotherapy in improving mean average change in BCVA letter score from baseline to month 1 through 12 (+6.1 and +5.9 vs +0.8; both P<0.0001). At month 12, a significantly greater proportion of patients had a BCVA letter score ≥15 and BCVA letter score level >73 (20/40 Snellen equivalent) with ranibizumab (22.6% and 53%, respectively) and ranibizumab + laser (22.9% and 44.9%) versus laser (8.2% and 23.6%). The mean central retinal thickness was significantly reduced from baseline with ranibizumab (-118.7 μm) and ranibizumab + laser (-128.3 μm) versus laser (-61.3 μm; both P<0.001). Health-related quality of life, assessed through National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), improved significantly from baseline with ranibizumab alone and combined with laser (P<0.05 for composite score and vision-related subscales) versus laser. Patients received ∼7 (mean) ranibizumab/sham injections over 12 months. No endophthalmitis cases occurred. Increased intraocular pressure was reported for 1 patient each in the ranibizumab arms. Ranibizumab monotherapy or combined with laser was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events in this study. Ranibizumab monotherapy and combined with laser provided superior visual acuity gain over standard laser in patients with visual impairment due to DME. Visual acuity gains were associated with significant gains in VFQ-25 scores. At 1 year, no differences were detected between the ranibizumab and ranibizumab + laser arms. Ranibizumab monotherapy and combined with laser had a safety profile in DME similar to that in age-related macular degeneration.

Ranibizumab: in macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis®), a recombinant humanized IgG(1) κ isotype monoclonal antibody fragment, is approved in the US for the treatment of macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). It binds to the receptor-binding site of active forms of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, inhibiting its biological activity. In two large, well designed, phase III trials in patients with macular oedema following branch RVO (BRVO) or central RVO (CRVO), monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab 0.5 mg were associated with significantly greater improvement from baseline in mean best-corrected visual acuity letter score (measured on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart) in the study eye at 6 months (primary endpoint) than sham injections. Moreover, ranibizumab was significantly more effective than sham injections with regard to improvements in central foveal thickness at 6 months, as well as several other visual acuity measures. Ranibizumab was generally well tolerated in patients with macular oedema following CRVO or BRVO. Overall, the most common adverse events with ranibizumab were consistent with the adverse event profile previously reported in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Effects of combination therapy with verteporfin photodynamic therapy and ranibizumab in patients with age-related macular degeneration

This open-label, prospective, small-scale study investigated the benefits of same-day verteporfin and intravitreal ranibizumab in patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic or occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Patients received verteporfin at baseline and at month 3, if leakage persisted. Ranibizumab (0.5 mg) was given at baseline and months 1, 2 and 3, and thereafter at monthly intervals if required. Same-day ranibizumab was given ≥ 1 hr after verteporfin. Fifteen patients [11 male, four female; mean age 75.5 years (range 54-94 years)] were treated. At day 360, mean visual acuity (VA) had improved by 10.9 letters. An increase of ≥ 15 and ≥ 30 letters (i.e. ≥ 3 and ≥ 6 lines) was observed in seven (47%) patients and one patient (7%), respectively. Mean central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased by 85 μm. At days 7, 14 and 30, CNV perfusion was absent in 14/15 patients. Mean lesion area had reduced from baseline by 23.1% at day 120, 25.5% at day 180 and 23.6% at day 360. There were no visual safety concerns and intraocular pressures remained normal. Only two serious adverse events were recorded over the 12-month period, and neither was considered to be related to treatment. Same-day verteporfin plus ranibizumab improved VA, reduced CRT, prevented CNV perfusion and reduced lesion area safely over 12 months. Further investigation is warranted to confirm whether this combination improves long-term vision and reduces the need for retreatment.

Changes in Retinal Neovascularization after Pegaptanib (Macugen) Therapy in Diabetic Individuals

To study effects of intravitreal pegaptanib (Macugen) on retinal neovascularization. Retrospective analysis of a randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTION, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Individuals with retinal neovascularization identified from a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial evaluating pegaptanib for treatment of diabetic macular edema, with a best-corrected visual acuity letter score between 68 and 25 (approximate Snellen equivalent between 20/50 and 20/320) and receiving a sham injection or intravitreal pegaptanib (0.3 mg, 1 mg, 3 mg) administered at study entry, week 6, and week 12, with additional injections and/or focal photocoagulation as needed during the ensuing 18 weeks, up to a maximum of 6 pegaptanib/sham therapies, were evaluated. Scatter panretinal photocoagulation before study enrollment was permitted, but not within 6 months of randomization and study entry. Changes in retinal neovascularization were assessed on fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms graded at a reading center in a masked fashion. Of 172 participants, 19 had retinal neovascularization in the study eye at baseline. Excluding 1 who had scatter photocoagulation 13 days before randomization and 2 with no follow-up photographs, 1 of the remaining 16 subjects had panretinal photocoagulation during study follow-up. Of these 16 subjects, 8 of 13 (62%) in a pegaptanib treatment group (including the one receiving panretinal photocoagulation), 0 of 3 in the sham group, and 0 of 4 fellow (nonstudy) eyes showed either regression of neovascularization on fundus photographs or regression or absence of fluorescein leakage from neovascularization (or both) at 36 weeks. In 3 of 8 with regression, neovascularization progressed at week 52 after cessation of pegaptanib at week 30. Most subjects with retinal neovascularization at baseline assigned to pegaptanib showed regression of neovascularization by week 36. These findings suggest a direct effect of pegaptanib upon retinal neovascularization in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in ocular histoplasmosis: Uncontrolled, open-label 2-year study

Objective To evaluate the safety, effect on visual function, and fluorescein angiographic appearance of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) through 2 years after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis AG, Basel, Switzerland) in patients with ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS). Design Open-label, 3-center, uncontrolled clinical study. Participants Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome patients with subfoveal CNV (N = 26) with a greatest linear dimension no larger than 5400 μm with classic or occult CNV extending under the geometric center of the fovea, and best-corrected visual acuity letter score of approximately 20/40 to 20/200. Methods The methods were similar to those described in the 1-year results with follow-up examinations every 3 months continuing through the second year. During the second year, additional therapy was recommended if fluorescein angiography showed leakage at a scheduled visit. Main outcome measurements Visual function measurements included the changes from baseline in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity scores. Lesion size and leakage from classic and occult CNV were assessed at month 12 and month 24. Safety assessments also were made. Results A 24-month examination was completed in 22 of the 26 enrolled participants (85%). At the 24-month examination, median improvement from baseline in visual acuity of the 22 patients evaluated was 6 letters; median contrast sensitivity improved by 3.5 letters. At the 24-month examination, 10 patients (45%) gained 7 or more letters of visual acuity from baseline, whereas 4 patients (18%) lost 8 or more letters, including 2 patients (9%) who lost at least 15 letters. There was absence of fluorescein angiographic leakage from classic CNV in 17 of the 20 evaluable lesions (85%), and leakage from occult CNV was absent in all eyes. No serious ocular adverse events were reported, and no serious systemic event was considered to be associated with treatment. Conclusions Median visual acuity improved and fluorescein angiographic leakage decreased after verteporfin therapy in this small, uncontrolled clinical study of patients with subfoveal CNV resulting from OHS. Verteporfin therapy seemed to be relatively safe in these patients. The selected cases feature fluorescein angiographic examples of CNV that are important in determining when to apply verteporfin therapy.

Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization with verteporfin in the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome: One-year results of an uncontrolled, prospective case series

ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effect on visual acuity of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne, Novartis AG) in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS). DesignOpen-label, three-center, noncomparative prospective case series. ParticipantsOHS patients with subfoveal CNV lesions no larger than 5400 μm in greatest linear dimension (GLD) with classic or occult CNV extending under the geometric center of the foveal avascular zone and best-corrected visual acuity letter score of 73 to 34 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/40–20/200). MethodsTwenty-six patients received verteporfin (6 mg/m2) infused IV over 10 minutes. Fifteen minutes after the start of infusion, a laser light at 689 nm delivered 50 J/cm2 at an intensity of 600 mW/cm2 over 83 seconds using a spot size with a diameter 1000 μm larger than the GLD of the lesion. At 3-month follow-up examinations, retreatment with the same regimen was applied if angiography showed fluorescein leakage. Safety assessments were also made. Main outcome measuresVisual function measurements were the changes from baseline in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity scores and the proportion of patients who, based on best-corrected visual acuity scores, (1) gained 7 or more letters, (2) lost 8 or more letters, and (3) lost 15 or more letters. ResultsOne patient was omitted from the study at the month 3 examination for not meeting the visual acuity eligibility requirements at baseline. By the month 12 examination, but excluding any retreatment at that visit, patients had received an average of 2.9 treatments of a maximum of 4 possible treatments. The month 12 median improvement from baseline in visual acuity of the remaining 25 patients was 7 letters, and median contrast sensitivity improved by 2 letters. Median visual acuity improvement was also 7 letters when three patients, who failed to meet all photographic eligibility requirements at baseline, were excluded. At the month 12 examination, 14 (56%) patients gained 7 or more letters of visual acuity from baseline, whereas 4 (16%) patients lost 8 or more letters, of which 2 (8%) lost 15 or more letters. No serious systemic or ocular adverse events were reported. ConclusionsMedian visual acuity improved after verteporfin therapy for at least 1 year in a small uncontrolled prospective case series of patients with subfoveal CNV caused by OHS. Verteporfin therapy seemed to be safe and well tolerated in these patients. Two-year data from this study will provide important, additional information on the safety and effect of verteporfin therapy for the treatment of subfoveal CNV secondary to OHS.