Authors' objectives:

The aims of this report were: 1. To assess the clinical evidence reporting on the potential harms and benefits of verteporfin PDT 2. To discuss the economic implications.

Authors' recommendations: Only a minority of individuals with wet AMD will likely be eligible for treatment after diagnosis and angiographic assessment. In these individuals, verteporfin PDT reduces the number of cases of legal central blindness after 24 months by slowing disease progression. However, the majority of treated individuals will continue to lose visual acuity. Long-term therapy can entail complications, more commonly sudden vision loss. Verteporfin PDT is reasonably well tolerated and appears unlikely to cause complications such as hospitalization or death. The direct impact of this treatment on quality of life and ability to function with poor eyesight is not known. It is also not known what the impact of therapy is on those with poorer vision who may seek treatment. Verteporfin PDT is likely to increase the need for angiographic screening. The cost-effectiveness studies reviewed suggest that verteporfin PDT will modestly increase patient quality-adjusted life-years but at a substantial cost.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)