Table 1

Beliefs about clinical benefit and evidence of effectiveness over 2000–2003.

Threshold of clinical benefit that would make offering PDT as a treatment worthwhile
Survey year





2000
2001
2002
2003

To prevent the loss of 3 lines of visual acuity over 2 years
At least In 1 person for every 7 treated
22 (19%)
31 (27%)
30 (28%)
36 (37%)

In 1 person for every 4 treated
35 (30%)
37 (32%)
38 (35%)
34 (35%)

In 1 person for every 2 treated
21 (18%)
27 (23%)
20 (19%)
16 (17%)
Further evidence of effectiveness required
39 (33%)
20 (19%)
20 (17%)
11 (11%)
Total
117
108
115
97

Foy et al. BMC Health Services Research 2005 5:34   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-5-34