Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion in the review. Only trials that had stopped recruiting and reported follow-up results for all or nearly all recruited patients were eligible.
Specific interventions included in the review
Trials of photodynamic therapy using any photosensitive drug, compared with either no treatment (best supportive care) for subfoveal lesions or laser photocoagulation for juxtafoveal or extrafoveal lesions, were eligible for inclusion. The included trials investigated the effects of verteporfin.
Participants included in the review
Studies on adults with wet AMD were eligible for inclusion in the review.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Outcomes of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, quality of life and side-effects of treatment were considered for the review.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
One reviewer selected studies for inclusion; a second reviewer checked the decisions.