Materials and Methods: OPT performed patients during the period of May 2001 -2003 were included in the study. All patients were grouped in 2 groups as AMD and NAMD. Total population of 256 patients with a mean age of 69,02±13,07 years (range 28-91 years) was composed of 213 AMD patients with a mean age of 72,83±9.03 years (range 43-91 years) and 43 NAMD patients with a mean age of 50,16±13,71 years (28-86 years). In all patients, therapy indications and follow up guidelines were formed according to the TAP and VIP study results and visual acuity measured by ETDRS charts, Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopic features were used as main outcome measures. Minimum 3 and maximum 24 months (mean: 8,53±5,42 months) follow up results were discussed in the study.

Results: Snellen equivalent mean visual acuity values of the patients in toto before and after the therapy were 0,2202±0,1541 (min:0,01 max:0,7) and 0,264±0,259 (min:0,01 max:1,0), respectively. Success rates of the therapy in groups were as follows: 31,5% unsuccessful, 54,9% successful, and 13,7% still in follow-up in AMD Group and 11,6% unsuccessful, 76,7% successful, and 11,6% still in follow-up in NAMD Group.

Conclusion: OPT is potentially the most successful and safest therapeutic alternative in selected active CNVs associated with AMD or non-AMD causes in the means of either ocular or systemic complications and adverse events. Similar results seen in TAP and VIP studies can be achieved with a less number of session per patient. Keywords : Ocular photodynamic therapy, OPT, PDT, verteporfin, visudyne, age-related macular degeneration, ARMD, AMD, macular degeneretion.