title: Large-spot size transpupillary thermotherapy for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the outcome of patients with occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration treated with transpupillary thermotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, nonrandomized, nonmasked case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with age-related macular degeneration with a predominantly occult choroidal neovascular membrane and an initial visual acuity of 20/400 or better were offered treatment using transpupillary thermotherapy. The treatment consisted of using a diode laser, a spot size of about 3000 to 6000 micro m delivered over 60 seconds, and a power of 600 to 1000 mW.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stable, improved, or worsened visual acuity and the need for additional treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine patients were treated. All patients have been followed up for at least 6 months. At the 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up visits, 71% of patients have stable or improved visual acuity and 29% have lost 2 or more lines of visual acuity on the Snellen letter chart.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Large-spot size transpupillary thermotherapy is effective in stabilizing the visual acuity in those patients who have occult choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Retinal Consultants of Arizona, Phoenix 85064, USA.
authors.forename: Allen B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thach
authors.forename: Jack O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Sipperley
authors.forename: Pravin U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dugel
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sneed
authors.forename: Donald W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cornelius
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011680:Pupil; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity