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External Beam Radiation Therapy Is Effective in the Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration

Arch Ophthalmol. 1998;116:1507-1509.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

NEOVASCULAR age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the western world. The only proven treatment involves laser photocoagulation of the abnormal and leaking subretinal vessels associated with neovascular ARMD. This is because several phase 3 efficacy trials have proved that laser photocoagulation of subretinal neovascular membranes in extrafoveal and subfoveal locations was associated with better visual acuity measurements compared with no treatment.^1-2 Unfortunately, laser photocoagulation of subfoveal neovascularization induces an immediate central scotoma that is poorly tolerated by most patients, and only 10% to 15% of eyes with neovascular ARMD meet the criteria for laser treatment. Then, despite initial laser photocoagulation of the choroidal neovascularization (CNV), recurrent CNV (which usually affects the fovea and vision) develops in most patients. Since the majority of patients with neovascular ARMD become legally blind despite laser treatment, it is clear that we must investigate new therapies for neovascular ARMD.

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WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR THE USE OF RADIATION THERAPY?


EVIDENCE THAT RADIATION THERAPY CAN AFFECT SUBRETINAL CNV AND SUBSEQUENT SCAR FORMATION

THE NEXT STEP?

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