Intravitreal Bevacizumab Versus Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy In Choroidal Neovascularization Due To Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review

Objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness of Intravitreal Bevacizumab versus Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy in Choroidal Neovascularization due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Methods: We search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials(issue12,2009),MEDLINE(1966 to Dec2009),EMbase(1980 to Dec2009),and CMB-disk(1979 to Dec2009). We also hand searched relevant journals and coference proceedings. Data were extracted by two reviewers independently using an extraction form.The Cochrane Collaboration,s RevMan 5.0 software was used for ststistical analysis. Results: Two RCTs involving 229 participants required treatment were included by total retrieve and riddling.Meta-analysis showed that compared with Photodynamic Therapy, intravitreal Bevacizumab increased the proportion of patients with Best-corrected visual acuity(MD,0.09;95%CI,0.06to0.13;P<0.00001),improved the visual acuity (Best-corrected visual acuity>2 lines)[RR=2.98, 95%CI(1.28,6.92)], and increased the proportion of patients with improved Best-corrected visual acuity>3 lines(RR=1.36; 95%CI,1.09 to 1.69;P=0.007)。But compared with intravitreal Bevacizumab, Photod- ynamic Therapy significant reductions in central foveal thickness(MD, 16.50;95%CI, 3.56to29.44;P=0.01).Conclusion:Compared with Photody- namic Therapy,intravitreal Bevacizumab increased the proportion of patients with Best-corrected visual acuity,and increased the proportion of patients with improved Best-corrected visual acuity>2lines even 3lines,Photodynamic Therapy significant reductions in central foveal thickness。Since the sample sizes of the included trials are relatively small,and the two treatments are also related to combined with two treatments,the frequency of treatments and greatest linear dimension,more well-designed large-scale RCTs are required.