[Radiation therapy of occult choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)].
BACKGROUND
Occult choroidal neovascularisation secondary to age-related macular degeneration cause severe visual loss due to exsudation, hemorrhage and fibrovascular scarring. So far, no efficient treatment of this condition could be established. Recently, some publications described an improved prognosis after low-dose radiation therapy of the neovascular membranes.


METHODS
Patients with occult choroidal neovascularisation as defined by the Macular Photocoagulation Study were inclosed in our study. Irradiation with Photons (10 to 12 MeV) in fractions of 5 x 2 Gy were administered. At three-month follow-up intervals visual acuity a complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity, fluorescein- and ICG-angiography as well as fundus photography was performed.


RESULTS
In our study 64 patients (74 +/- 7 years) with occult CNV secondary to AMD were included. Follow-up was between 3 and 39 months (14.5 +/- 10). Compared to studies who investigated the natural history of this disease, the visual acuity measured in our study did not differ significantly from the natural course.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not support the general use of radiation therapy in patients with occult choroidal neovascularisation secondary to AMD. However, the controlled multicenter studies might provide a better basis for a general recommendations.
Weinberger
A W
AW
Augenklinik der Med. Fak. der RWTH Aachen.
Wolf
S
S
Kube
T
T
Solbach
U
U
Dobberstein
H
H
Schleicher
U M
UM
Kirchhof
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000528:radiation effects