Transpupillary thermotherapy in exudative, age-related macular degeneration

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of a single transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in patients with exudative, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. In a prospective pilot study, 14 patients with a mean age of 78 years (range: 70-92 years) with subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) due to exudative, age-related macular degeneration were treated with a single TTT using a diode laser (810 nm). Seven patients had a classic and seven an occult CNV. Laser beam size was 4.5 mm, the power setting was 800 mW and the exposure lasted 60 s. Results. Twelve out of 14 patients could be followed for a period of 18 months. Stabilisation of the visual acuity was achieved in two patients, ten patients lost three or more Snellen lines. In none of the patients a regression of the CNV could be observed immediately after TTT. Inactive fibrotic scars developed in six patients at the end of the study. Conclusion. Our results suggest that TTT, according to our protocol, has no beneficial effect on the spontaneous course of the CNV in patients with AMD.