TY - JOUR
T1 - Radiation therapy for Macular Degeneration
T2 - Technical considerations and preliminary results
AU - Brady, Luther W.
AU - Freire, Jorge E.
AU - Longton, Wallace A.
AU - Miyamoto, Curtis T.
AU - Augsburger, James J.
AU - Brown, Gary C.
AU - Micaily, Bizhan
AU - Sagerman, Robert H.
PY - 1997/11/1
Y1 - 1997/11/1
N2 - PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the toxicity and possible benefits from the administration of low-dose external-beam irradiation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The premise of the treatment is that radiation induces regression and/or promotes inactivation of the subretinal neo-vasculature, resulting in reabsorption of fluid and blood thus reducing the risk for further leakage or bleeding, as well as subretinal fibrosis. Clinically, the beneficial effect could be translated into stabilization of visual acuity and prevention of progression of the wet type of ARMD with the possibility for some visual improvement.METHODS AND MATERIALS: Allegheny University Hospitals, Hahnemann, Department of Radiation Oncology, treated 278 patients prospectively beginning in January 1995 with low-dose irradiation for wet-type macular degeneration. Two hundred forty-nine patients were treated with a total dose of 14.40 Gy in eight fractions of 1.80 Gy over 10-13 elapsed days, and 27 patients with 20 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction over 12-15 days. The first two patients were treated to a total dose of 10.00 Gy in five fractions of 2.00 Gy. Patients were evaluated at 2-3 weeks and 2-3 months. A percentage (36.7%) of the patients had previously received laser treatments in the study eye, 21.9% once, 5% twice, 9.7% three or more. Subjective visual acuity and toxicity data was collected on all patients.RESULTS: At 2-3 weeks after treatment 195 patients (70%) retained their visual acuity without change, 68 patients (24.5%) stated they had improved vision, and 15 patients (4.8%) stated their vision continued to decrease. Two to 3 months after treatment, 183 patients (65.8%) had no change in their vision, 75 patients (27%) had an improvement in their vision, and 20 patients (7.2%) had a decrease in visual acuity. Transient acute reactions occurred in 14 of the 278 patients treated.CONCLUSION: Our observations in this group of 278 patients support the conclusion that many patients will have improved or stable vision after treatment with low-dose irradiation for age related wet type macular degeneration.
AB - PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the toxicity and possible benefits from the administration of low-dose external-beam irradiation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The premise of the treatment is that radiation induces regression and/or promotes inactivation of the subretinal neo-vasculature, resulting in reabsorption of fluid and blood thus reducing the risk for further leakage or bleeding, as well as subretinal fibrosis. Clinically, the beneficial effect could be translated into stabilization of visual acuity and prevention of progression of the wet type of ARMD with the possibility for some visual improvement.METHODS AND MATERIALS: Allegheny University Hospitals, Hahnemann, Department of Radiation Oncology, treated 278 patients prospectively beginning in January 1995 with low-dose irradiation for wet-type macular degeneration. Two hundred forty-nine patients were treated with a total dose of 14.40 Gy in eight fractions of 1.80 Gy over 10-13 elapsed days, and 27 patients with 20 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction over 12-15 days. The first two patients were treated to a total dose of 10.00 Gy in five fractions of 2.00 Gy. Patients were evaluated at 2-3 weeks and 2-3 months. A percentage (36.7%) of the patients had previously received laser treatments in the study eye, 21.9% once, 5% twice, 9.7% three or more. Subjective visual acuity and toxicity data was collected on all patients.RESULTS: At 2-3 weeks after treatment 195 patients (70%) retained their visual acuity without change, 68 patients (24.5%) stated they had improved vision, and 15 patients (4.8%) stated their vision continued to decrease. Two to 3 months after treatment, 183 patients (65.8%) had no change in their vision, 75 patients (27%) had an improvement in their vision, and 20 patients (7.2%) had a decrease in visual acuity. Transient acute reactions occurred in 14 of the 278 patients treated.CONCLUSION: Our observations in this group of 278 patients support the conclusion that many patients will have improved or stable vision after treatment with low-dose irradiation for age related wet type macular degeneration.
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Dose Fractionation, Radiation
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Macular Degeneration/radiotherapy
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Prospective Studies
KW - Technology, Radiologic
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030667096&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0360-3016(97)00708-6
DO - 10.1016/S0360-3016(97)00708-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 9369145
AN - SCOPUS:0030667096
SN - 0360-3016
VL - 39
SP - 945
EP - 948
JO - International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
JF - International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
IS - 4
ER -