In this study it was aimed to evaluate our results of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes developing due to age-related macular degeneration. Seventy five eyes of the 65 patients diagnosed to have subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes due to age-related macular degeneration between October 2004 and June 2006 were included in the study. Initial and last best corrected visual acuities of the cases, findings of ophthalmic examination and fundus fluorescein angiography were recorded. Cases were divided into three groups as predominantly classic, minimally classic and occult choroidal neovascular membranes on the basis of fundus fluorescein angiography findings. Mean age of the patients was 76.2±7.8 years, and 34 (52.3%) were female and 31 (47.7%) were male. Thirty four (45.3%), 14 (18.7%) and 27 (36%) of the cases were in the groups of predominantly classic, minimally classic and occult choroidal neovascular membranes, respectively, according to findings of fundus fluorescein angiography. Mean initial best corrected visual acuities according to Log Mar was -1.18±0.8 (range -2.6 to -0.1). Mean final best corrected visual acuities according to Log Mar was -1.19±0.8 (range -2.6 to 0). There were no statistically significant differences among the changes of mean visual acuity according to lesion types. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the initial and final best corrected visual acuities.

Keywords: Photodynamic therapy, choroidal neovascular membrane, verteporfin, age-related macular degeneration