May 2003
Volume 44, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2003
External Beam Irradiation of Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Complicating Age-related Macular Degeneration: 4-year Results of a Prospective, Double-masked, Randomized Clinical Trial
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • M.N. Lott
    Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, United States
  • D.M. Marcus
    Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, United States
  • W.C. Sheils
    Radiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, United States
  • M.H. Johnson
    Biostatistics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, United States
  • C.N. Samy
    Ocala Eye Surgeons, Ocala, FL, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  M.N. Lott, None; D.M. Marcus, None; W.C. Sheils, None; M.H. Johnson, None; C.N. Samy, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) and Knights Templar Educational Foundation of Georgia
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2003, Vol.44, 5007. doi:
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    • Get Citation

      M.N. Lott, D.M. Marcus, W.C. Sheils, M.H. Johnson, C.N. Samy; External Beam Irradiation of Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Complicating Age-related Macular Degeneration: 4-year Results of a Prospective, Double-masked, Randomized Clinical Trial . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003;44(13):5007.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To determine the long-term effects of low-dose external beam irradiation compared with observation on the visual acuity of eyes with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) complicating age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods: Prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial. Patients with classic, mixed, or occult subfoveal CNV secondary to ARMD were randomized to radiation or observation. The radiation goup received external beam irradiation at a dose of 14 Gy in 7 fractions of 2 Gy. Patients randomized to the observation group received sham radiation. Change in visual acuity from baseline to specified time periods was measured. Results: Forty-two eyes were randomized to observation and forty-one eyes were randomized to radiation. Baseline characteristics and demographics did not differ between the two randomized groups. Radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy were not observed. Visual acuity changes from baseline by time and treatment are summarized below: Conclusions: Low-dose external beam irradiation at 14 Gy in 7 fractions of 2 Gy is not beneficial for subfoveal CNV complicating ARMD. Although our data may be skewed by significant patient drop-out rates after 1 year, low-dose radiotherapy may be detrimental in the long-term (2-4 years follow-up).  

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • choroid: neovascularization • radiation therapy 
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