title: [Long-term outcome of radiation therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration in Japan].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term outcome of radiation therapy in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty eyes of 80 patients (54 men and 26 women) with exudative AMD, which underwent radiation therapy with a photon beam of 20 Gy (2 Gy per day for 10 days) between 1998 and 2003, were retrospectively reviewed. Average age was 69 +/- 8.1 and follow-up period was 66 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), additional therapies and complications were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean duration till the best value of postoperative BCVA could be reached was 10 months. The best BCVA was improved in 20 eyes (25.0%), stabilized in 56 eyes (70.0%), and deteriorated in 4 eyes (5.0%). On the final visit visual improvement was observed in 9 (11.3%), stabilization in 25 (31.3%), and deterioration in 46 eyes (57.5%). Additional therapies for exudative AMD were performed in 24 eyes (30.0%). Severe subretinal hemorrhage was observed in 9 eyes (11.3%), which resulted in severe vision loss despite additional vitrectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose radiation therapy for exudative AMD achieved short-term efficacy but seemed less effective in the long-term.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan. t-mizu@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Mizutani
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Yasukawa
authors: Mayumi
authors: M
authors: Tokoro
authors: Munenori
authors: M
authors: Yoshida
authors: Yuichiro
authors: Y
authors: Ogura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity