Radiotherapy for Age-related Macular Degeneration Associated with Subfoveal Neovascular Membrane.
- Author:
Seok Joon PARK
1
;
Il Han KIM
;
Sung Whan HA
;
Charn Il PARK
;
Hong Gyun WU
;
Sang Kyu CHOI
;
Hum CHUN
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Municipal Boramae Hospital.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Subfoveal neovascular membrane;
Radiation treatment;
Macular degeneration
- MeSH:
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Light Coagulation;
Macular Degeneration*;
Membranes*;
Radiotherapy*;
Sample Size;
Visual Acuity
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
1999;40(1):168-175
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The only effective treatment for subfoveal neovascular membrane in age-related macular degeneration is laser photocoagulation, which is associated with decreased visual acuity following treatment in most patients. Radiation treatment for subfoveal neovascular membrane has been tried, but its effectiveness and necessary dose are not determined yet. Twelve eyes with subfoveal neovascular membranes received X-ray radiation with the dose of 1980cGy or 1440cGy. After a minimum 6 month follow-up, 4 eyes had improved, 6 eyes had stable and 2 eyes had worsened visual acuity. To date no negative side effects have been observed. We could not find difference in visual outcome between two dose groups due to the small sample size. Regarding the poor natural course of age-related macular degeneration, these results suggest a possible beneficial effect of radiation treatment with total dose of 1980 or 1440cGy and justify the further treatments and evaluations of the radiotherapy.
