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Patients say they prefer foveal ablation over PDT
NEW YORK — Patients treated for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization with a different procedure in each eye expressed a preference for the eye treated with foveal ablation over the eye that underwent photodynamic therapy, according to a surgeon speaking here.
Edwin E. Boldrey, MD, of San Jose, Calif., asked eight patients who had undergone both treatments successfully to assess each procedure; all eight preferred foveal ablation.
Patients with unsuccessful treatments were excluded from the study. The eight patients had comparable Amsler grid measurements, preoperative visual acuity (20/200 or worse), preoperative neovascular net area (two disc diameters or less) and postoperative scar size in both eyes.
Based on interviews with the patients, Dr. Boldrey said, foveal ablation may lead to less visual distortion than PDT. Seven patients complained of distortion after PDT, but only two complained after foveal ablation, he said.