Ranibizumab monotherapy versus single-session verteporfin photodynamic therapy combined with as-needed ranibizumab treatment for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To compare verteporfin photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab (combination therapy) versus ranibizumab monotherapy for management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS: Thirty patients (40 eyes) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were prospectively allocated to combination therapy or monotherapy. In monotherapy, the induction phase consisted of 3 consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections (0.5 mg), while the combination therapy had a single session of photodynamic therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab. Follow-up treatment for either group consisted only of additional as-needed ranibizumab injections. The main outcome measure was that a proportion of eyes losing <15 letters of visual acuity after 12 months.

RESULTS: Except for 1 eye in combination therapy, all eyes in both groups lost <15 letters of visual acuity. At 12 months, there was a mean gain of +12 letters and +3.2 letters for monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively (relative percent change of 32% vs. 7%, P = 0.03). Anatomical improvement was similar in both groups. After induction, the time until ranibizumab retreatment was longer for combination therapy (P = 0.002) while ranibizumab injections were required more frequently with monotherapy (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSION: Ranibizumab monotherapy showed greater improvement in visual acuity versus combination therapy. However, combination therapy required fewer ranibizumab injections. Larger trials need to confirm the findings of this pilot study.