Retinal pigment epithelial tear after transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal neovascularization.
OBJECTIVE
To describe two patients who developed a retinal pigment epithelial tear after transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal neovascularization.


METHODS
Case reports.


RESULTS
Retinal pigment epithelial (retinal pigment epithelium) tear developed in 2 (8%) of 25 eyes after transpupillary thermotherapy for occult choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration. In both eyes, the retinal pigment epithelium tear developed between the treatment session and first post-treatment examination. In both eyes, the visual acuity was unchanged, but the complication of retinal pigment epithelium tear may result in decreased visual acuity when transpupillary thermotherapy is performed in an eye with good initial visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinal pigment epithelium tear appears to occur more frequently after transpupillary thermotherapy for poorly defined choroidal neovascularization than after conventional laser photocoagulation for poorly defined choroidal neovascularization.
Thompson
J T
JT
Retina Specialists, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. JTThompson@home.com
D000368:Aged; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000628:therapy*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000293:injuries*; D011680:Pupil; D012421:Rupture; D014792:Visual Acuity