PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Stolba, U
AU  - Krebs, I
AU  - Lamar, P D
AU  - Aggermann, T
AU  - Gruber, D
AU  - Binder, S
TI  - Long term results after transpupillary thermotherapy in eyes with occult choroidal neovascularisation associated with age related macular degeneration: a prospective trial
AID  - 10.1136/bjo.2005.076422
DP  - 2006 Feb 01
TA  - British Journal of Ophthalmology
PG  - 158--161
VI  - 90
IP  - 2
4099  - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/90/2/158.short
4100  - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/90/2/158.full
SO  - Br J Ophthalmol2006 Feb 01; 90
AB  - Aim: To evaluate long term results after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in eyes with exudative age related macular degeneration. Methods: In a prospective clinical study eyes with occult or predominantly occult choroidal neovascularisation and no pretreatment were scheduled to have a TTT with a power of 630 mW. Visual acuity for far and near distances as well as contrast sensitivity were evaluated 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively and statistically analysed. Results: 47 eyes fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, 70% of the patients showed an improved (14%) or had unchanged (56%) ETDRS vision after 24 months. Reading vision was stabilised (51%) or better (5%) in 56% of the eyes at this time. However, the increasing number of eyes with severe deterioration resulted in a significant decrease of both parameters over time (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0003, respectively). Contrast sensitivity could be maintained (70%) or improved (9%) in 79%. Statistical analyses indicated a trend but no significant decrease over time (p = 0.056). Conclusion: Although in the majority of patients far and near distance acuity could be stabilised on average a significant decrease over time after TTT was observed. Statistical comparison of months 12 and 24 showed no further deterioration.