To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in cases of classic choroidal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration by using optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Thirty eyes of 30 patients diagnosed with predominantly classic-type choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration in the Department of Ophthalmology between March 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005 were treated with PDT. The efficacy of PDT was evaluated with OCT. From OCT findings, changes of the foveal contour, subretinal fluid, retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED), and highly reflective external bands were analyzed and compared with findings from fluorescein angiography.

After PDT, the foveal contour on OCT was recovered in 24 of 30 abnormal eyes (80%), subretinal fluid on OCT was absorbed in 18 of 26 abnormal eyes (69%), PED on OCT was reattached in 16 of 22 abnormal eyes (72%), and thick highly reflective external bands on OCT were thinned in 16 of 26 abnormal eyes (62%). The leakage on fluorescein angiography resolved in 20 of 30 abnormal eyes (67%).

Recovery of the foveal contour, reabsorption of subretinal fluid, reattachment of PED, and thinning of highly reflective external bands on OCT findings were achieved with PDT. The changes of foveal contour and highly reflective external band were correlated with signs of fluorescein leakage.