Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) of occult choroidal neovascularization: a retrospective, noncomparative case series of fifty-seven eyes

Semin Ophthalmol. 2001 Jun;16(2):66-9. doi: 10.1076/soph.16.2.66.4208.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization.

Methods: A retrospective, noncomparative case series of 57 eyes of 52 patients who presented with occult subfoveal CNV and were treated with TTT.

Results: 83% of eyes were either stable (+/- one line) or showed improvement in visual acuity. 83% of eyes showed stabilization of their exudative process after one TTT treatment as evidenced by resorption of subretinal and/or intraretinal exudate or hemorrhage. Nine percent of eyes developed classic CNV during the mean follow-up time of ten months.

Conclusions: TTT appears to stabilize the exudative process in eyes with occult CNV. A prospective, sham-controlled, randomized study (TTT4CNV Clinical Trial) is currently underway to directly compare TTT to the natural history of occult CNV.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / therapy*
  • Exudates and Transudates
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods*
  • Male
  • Pupil
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity