Transpupillary thermotherapy for treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration in Indian eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to define accurate power settings for this procedure in Indian eyes.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomised study of 160 eyes of 144 patients with subfoveal CNV. The laser settings included 2 mm spot and 300 mw power or 3 mm spot and 400-600 mw power. Two separate 3 mm spots were used in larger lesions. The treatment was given for 60 seconds at each point.


RESULTS
Ninety-nine eyes had classic membranes and 61 eyes had occult membranes. Following treatment, 79 of 99 (79.8%) classic and 52 of 61 (85%) occult membranes regressed. Visual improvement (> or = 2 lines) was seen in 29 (29.3%) eyes and 12 (19.6%) eyes; visual stabilisation (1 line) in 39 (39.4%) eyes, and 35 (57.4%) eyes; and reduction of vision (< or = 2 lines) in 31 (31.3%) eyes and 14 (22.9%) eyes with classic and occult membranes respectively. Mean follow-up was 12 months. One patient suffered inadvertant foveal burn.


CONCLUSIONS
TTT is effective in the management of subfoveal membranes in Indian eyes. They respond to lower energy levels compared to the Caucasian eyes.
Retina Foundation, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. manishad1@sancharnet.in
Manish
M
Nagpal
Kamal
K
Nagpal
Shobhana
S
Sharma
Jyoti
J
Puri
Pran N
PN
Nagpal
D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011680:Pupil; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity