Background: To report the outcome of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), near visual acuity (NVA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in patients 2 years after undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT) or full macular translocation (FMT) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: Fifty patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to AMD were randomized to PDT or FMT. BCVA was determined according a standardized protocol with ETDRS charts. NVA were calculated after testing with SNAB (Swiss National Association of and for the Blind) visual acuity cards. CS was measured with Pelli-Robson charts. The 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25 plus supplement) was performed. Primary end points were the changes of BCVA, NVA, CS and VRQOL at 24-month examination.
Results: A stabilisation of BCVA (+0.3 letters) was found in the FMT group, whereas a decrease of more than 12 letters (-12.6 letters) was found in the PDT group (p = 0.052). Mean NVA improved by 7.0 letters in the FMT group and was superior to the PDT group (-9.6 letters, p = 0.036), while mean CS showed a time-dependent decrease in both treatment groups (FMT: -3.3 letters, PDT: -3.8 letters, p = 0.726). Considering the results of the VRQOL scores, the improvement of the subscales scores for general vision (p = 0.015), mental health (p = 0.028) and near activity (p = 0.020) were significantly higher in the FMT group.
Conclusions: FMT can stabilise BCVA and improve NVA over a period of 2 years in patients with subfoveal classic CNV secondary to neovascular AMD, whereas a decrease of BCVA and NVA was found in the PDT group. CS did not differ between FMT and PDT. A significant increase of VRQOL scores was only found in the FMT group and not in the PDT group. FMT seems to be a therapeutic approach that can increase visual function resulting in an improvement of patient's VRQOL, but exhibits a higher number of severe complications compared to PDT.