The Study
Comparative efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT), ranibizumab, aflibercept monotherapy, and combination therapies for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
This study looked at lots of different experiments where people with a special eye problem were given different treatments. It found that mixing two treatments (PDT and eye shots) seemed to work better than just one. But it didn't do the experiments itself—it just added up what other studies found, so we can't be 100% sure it's the treatment that caused the improvement.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Doctors use two treatments together—laser (PDT) and eye injections (ranibizumab)—to fix a leaky blood vessel problem in the back of the eye called PCV.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 560 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes—better vision, less fluid, fewer shots, and fewer recurring problems mean patients see better and don’t need as many painful injections over time.
- 2When used together, the laser and injection improved vision by 0.07 logMAR units, reduced fluid in the eye by 42 micrometers, and cured the abnormal blood vessels in 78% of patients—much better than injections alone (30%).
- 3Patients also needed fewer injections.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
BMC Ophthalmology
Year
2025
Authors
Miguel A. Quiroz-Reyes, E. Quiroz-Gonzalez, M. A. Quiroz-Gonzalez, V. Lima-Gómez
Related Content
Videos (2)
Claims (5)
In patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who have not received prior treatment, combining photodynamic therapy with anti-VEGF injections results in fewer anti-VEGF injections over time than using anti-VEGF injections alone.
In patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, combining photodynamic therapy with anti-VEGF drugs does not result in more eye complications than using either treatment alone, and serious bleeding under the retina occurs in 2% or fewer cases.
In patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who have not received prior treatment, combining photodynamic therapy with ranibizumab results in complete polyp regression in up to 77.8% of cases, while ranibizumab alone results in regression in 26.7–34.7% of cases.
In treatment-naïve patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, combining photodynamic therapy with ranibizumab results in a measurable improvement in visual acuity, a reduction in retinal thickness, complete regression of polyps in up to 77.8% of cases, and fewer anti-VEGF injections compared to ranibizumab alone.
In patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who have not received prior treatment, combining photodynamic therapy with aflibercept shows a pattern of better polyp regression and anatomical outcomes than aflibercept alone, but the difference is not confirmed as statistically meaningful in current data.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.