Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for occult and classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age–related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods: Retrospective case series of 106 eyes from 101 patients with occult CNV with or without pigment epithelial detachment or with classic AMD with acuity ≤20/400. TTT was applied a maximum of four times and patients were followed for change in visual acuity, resolution of macular edema, and CNV recurrence. Results: Of 106 eyes treated, 87% presented with occult lesions, while 13% were classic. At initial 3 month follow–up, visual acuity was stable (+/– 1 line) in 68%, improved in 12%, and worse in 20%, while exudation diminished in 63%. At 10 month follow–up, visual acuity was stable in 56%, improved in 8%, and worse in 30%. PED was present in 13% of patients. At 6 month follow–up for the PED subgroup, vision was stable in 57%, better in 14%, and worse in 29%. The recurrence rate for CNV in the entire series was 10.4%, while it increased to 21% in the PED subgroup. No pigment epithelial tears occurred. Conclusions: TTT may cause or acclerate resolution of macular edema in CNV. TTT results in visual improvement (≥2 lines) in only 8% of cases, however 55% are stable (+/– 1 line), 64% lose 1 line or less (stable or get better), and 75% lose 2 lines or less. PED may be successfully treated with TTT, but CNV recurrence rates may be higher than in non–PED subgroups.
Keywords: macula/fovea • laser • retinal neovascularization