Transpupillary Thermotherapy for Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularisation Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Indian Eyes

• Main Authors: Nagpal Manish, Nagpal Kamal, Sharma Shobhana, Puri Jyoti, Nagpal Pran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2003-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT); Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV); Age related macular degeneration (AMD); Ocular pigmentation
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2003;volume=51;issue=3;spage=243;epage=250;aulast=Nagpal

<b>Aim: </b> To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to define accurate power settings for this procedure in Indian eyes. <b> Methods:</b> A prospective, nonrandomised study of 160 eyes of 144 patients with subfoveal CNV. The laser settings included 2mm spot and 300mw power or 3mm spot and 400-600mw power. Two separate 3mm spots were used in larger lesions. The treatment was given for 60 seconds at each point.<b> Results:</b> Ninety-nine eyes had classic membranes and 61 eyes had occult membranes. Following treatment, 79 of 99 (79.8&#x0025;) classic and 52 of 61 (85&#x0025;) occult membranes regressed. Visual improvement ( 2 lines) was seen in 29 (29.3&#x0025;) eyes and 12 (19.6&#x0025;) eyes ; visual stabilisation (1 line) in 39 (39.4&#x0025;) eyes, and 35 (57.4&#x0025;) eyes; and reduction of vision (- 2 lines) in 31 (31.3&#x0025;) eyes and 14 (22.9&#x0025;) eyes with classic and occult membranes respectively. Mean follow-up was 12 months. One patient suffered inadvertant foveal burn. <b> Conclusion: </b> TTT is effective in the management of subfoveal membranes in Indian eyes. They respond to lower energy levels compared to the Caucasian eyes.