Purpose: To evaluate central retinal sensitivity and its relation to the symptomatic change noted in central visual disturbance shortly after photodynamic therapy (PDT) in eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Design: Retrospective interventional case series.
Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 20 eyes of 20 patients who underwent PDT for the treatment of subfoveal PCV. Microperimetry in the macular area was performed with Micro Perimeter 1 (MP1) [Nidek, Vigonza, Italy] before and at one, three, and six months after PDT. Forty measurement points were located within the central 10 degree of the macula.
Results: After PDT, although most eyes showed a reduction in exudation, the mean posttreatment visual acuity did not change significantly. At one month after PDT, however, retinal sensitivities within the central 2 degree, 6 degree, and 10 degree fields, which were 3.6 +/- 3.1, 5.1 +/- 3.4, and 6.2 +/- 3.6 dB [decibels] at baseline, improved to 5.9 +/- 3.8 (P = .003), 7.1 +/- 3.6 (P = .003), and 8.1 +/- 3.5 dB (P = .004). At one month after treatment, 14 patients (70%) noted subjective improvement of the central visual disturbance and mean retinal sensitivity within the central 2 degree, 6 degree, and 10 degree fields had improved more than 2 dB in 11, 10, and eight eyes, respectively. At three and six months after PDT, however, postoperative improvement of the retinal sensitivities was diminished.
Conclusions: Retinal sensitivity in the macular area of eyes with subfoveal PCV improved shortly after PDT, and may account, at least in part, for the immediate subjective improvement in central vision after PDT.