NICE guidance - photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration
Last reviewed 01/2018
Summary features of the NICE Guidance
1. NICE recommend that photodynamic therapy (PDT) is recommended for the treatment
of wet age-related macular degeneration for individuals who have a confirmed
diagnosis of classic with no occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation
(CNV) (that is, whose lesions are composed of classic CNV with no evidence of
an occult component) and best-corrected visual acuity 6/ 60 or better. PDT should
be carried out only by retinal specialists with expertise in the use of this
technology.
2. Also NICE state that PDT is not recommended for the treatment of people
with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV (that is, 50% or more of the
entire area of the lesion is classic CNV but some occult CNV is present) associated
with wet age-related macular degeneration, except as part of ongoing or new
clinical studies that are designed to generate robust and relevant outcome data,
including data on optimum treatment regimens, long-term outcomes, quality of
life and costs.
As regards the use of PDT in occult CNV associated with wet age-related
macular degeneration - this was not considered because the photosensitising
agent (verteporfin) was not licensed for this indication when this appraisal
began. NICE made no recommendation with regard to the use of this technology
in people with this form of the condition.
For more detailed information see the full guidance.
This guidance is due for review in September 2006.
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