Low-Power Transpupillary Thermotherapy Combined with Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide for Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization

Vol. 39, No. 4, 2007

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Low-Power Transpupillary Thermotherapy Combined with Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide for Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization
Xinyuan Zhang^a, Xiaoqing Zhu^a, Dongsheng Wang^a, Liang Xu^a, Jost B. Jonas^b

^aBeijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China;
^bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmic Res 2007;39:241-242 (DOI: 10.1159/000104833)

Key Words

Transpupillary thermotherapy
Intravitreal steroids
Age-related macular degeneration
Myopic macular degeneration
Choroidal neovascularization
Visual impairment
Low vision

Abstract

Purpose: To examine transpupillary thermotherapy combined with intravitreal triamcinolone for treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. Methods: The clinical interventional, noncomparative, case series study included 14 patients (14 eyes) with choroidal neovascularization (age-related macular degeneration, n = 11; high myopia, n = 2; unknown reason, n = 1), who underwent transpupillary thermotherapy (75-150 mW, 60 s, 500-3,000 µm), followed by an intravitreal triamcinolone injection (10 mg). Follow-up was at least 6 months. Results: Visual acuity increased by 3 lines in 3 (21%) eyes at 3 months, and in 3 (21%) eyes at 6 months of follow-up. None of the patients experienced a visual acuity loss of 3 or more lines. At the 6-month follow-up, mean visual acuity was improved by 1.36 ± 1.16 lines. Retreatment by transpupillary thermotherapy was performed for 3 (21%) eyes at 3 months, and for 1 (7%) eye at 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Transpupillary thermotherapy combined with intravitreal triamcinolone may be a therapeutic option for choroidal neovascularization particularly if other treatment modalities are not available.

Author Contacts

Dr. J. Jonas
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3
DE-68167 Mannheim (Germany)
Tel. +49 621 383 2652, Fax +49 621 383 3803
E-Mail Jost.Jonas@augen.ma.uni-heidelberg.de

Article Information

Received: October 17, 2006
Accepted after revision: February 5, 2007
Published online: June 29, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 2
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 7

Medline Abstract (ID 17622745)

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