Whether radiation can be used to destroy abnormally proliferating blood vessels in the eye and save the sight of patients with the worst form of macular degeneration is being studied at the Medical College of Georgia. MCG in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute has received funding from the National Eye Institute to coordinate a study of approximately 200 patients at 13 centers that researchers say should determine whether radiation is an effective treatment option. Radiation from a linear accelerator, used to destroy rapidly proliferating cancer cells, will be used to battle excessive blood vessels growing under the retina that leak, cause scarring and eventually destroy central vision. Dr. Marcus was among the first in the country to organize a large, prospective randomized trial to examine radiation s effectiveness in treating the wet form of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over age 65. But the current study Age-Related Macular Degeneration Radiotherapy Trial uses a stronger dose of radiation, much closer to the amount already used to treat eye cancer, Dr. Marcus said.
Previous studies indicate higher doses have treatment potential.
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