LOW-DOSE RADIATION FOR SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION - A PILOT-STUDY - RADIOTHERAPY FOR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

The aim of our pilot study was to test the effect of low dose radiatio n on classic and occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) i n age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The posterior pole of the af flicted eye of 12 patients was irradiated with 5 Gray (Gy), and that o f 34 patients with 8 Gy. The radiotherapy was done by a linear acceler ator (6 MV X-rays) during 4 consecutive days with daily doses of 1.25 Gy and 2 Gy respectively. At the time of treatment, and 6 weeks, 6 mon ths and 1 year after, a simultaneous fluorescein and ICG angiography o f both eyes were carried out, and the distance visual acuity was measu red. In none of the cases were we able to note a reduction in the subf oveal membrane's size. With regards to the visual acuity, the evolutio n was slightly better than the spontaneous courses described in existi ng literature. Further prospective randomized studies with higher dose radiation are necessary in order to determine the significance of rad iotherapy in the treatment of this pathology.