Although laser photocoagulation of smaller subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes complicating age-related macular degeneration may enhance reading speed and contrast sensitivity, treated eyes also suffer an immediate and permanent loss of visual acuity. Laser photocoagulation is not possible in the majority of patients with choroidal neovascularization complicating age-related macular degeneration because the exact location and extent of these lesions cannot be identified and are, therefore, occult. In extrafoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascular membranes, adjunctive therapies are needed to decrease the incidence of persistence or recurrence. Alternative, less-destructive therapies are needed for subfoveal and occult choroidal neovascular membranes. One such potential therapy is low-dose, external beam irradiation.
Irradiation is a well known anti-angiogenic therapy.
Preliminary experience with radiotherapy for choroidal neovascularization complicating age-related macular degeneration has been encouraging. At the Medical College of Georgia, we intend to determine whether low-dose external beam irradiation has a broader role in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization complicating age related macular degeneration. According to Macular Photocoagulation Study guidelines.