Low dose radiation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. A pilot study: radiotherapy for age-related macular degeneration.
The aim of our pilot study was to test the effect of low dose radiation on classic and occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The posterior pole of the afflicted eye of 12 patients was irradiated with 5 Gray (Gy), and that of 34 patients with 8 Gy. The radiotherapy was done by a linear accelerator (6 MV X-rays) during 4 consecutive days with daily doses of 1.25 Gy and 2 Gy respectively. At the time of treatment, and 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after, a simultaneous fluorescein and ICG angiography of both eyes were carried out, and the distance visual acuity was measured. In none of the cases were we able to note a reduction in the subfoveal membrane's size. With regards to the visual acuity, the evolution was slightly better than the spontaneous courses described in existing literature. Further prospective randomized studies with higher dose radiation are necessary in order to determine the significance of radiotherapy in the treatment of this pathology.
Department of Ophthalmology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland.
C
C
Valmaggia
P
P
Bischoff
G
G
Ries
W
W
Seelentag
H
H
Niederberger
P
P
Speiser
D000368:Aged; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green