Abstract:

Objective To investigate and systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Methods Randomised controlled trials (RCT) of anti-VEGF combined with PDT in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration between January 2001 and August 2011 were searched in Medline, Elservier and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, with the language limitation in English and Chinese. RCTs were included in accordance with the Cochrane review's methodology, the valid data were extracted, and the systematic analysis was conducted. Results Seven RCTs were enrolled, including 496 eyes with agerelated macular degeneration. Compared with monotherapy group, combination therapy group had advantage in the times of retreatment, but not in the best-corrected visual acuity. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of complications between two groups. Conclusion Anti-VEGF combined with PDT is effective and safe in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Key words: anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, verteporfin photodynamic therapy, age-related macular degeneration, combination therapy