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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
In Vivo Multimodal Imaging and Analysis of Mouse Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization Model
Published on: January 21, 2018
Choroidal neovascular membranes: treatment with reirradiation
C S Cathcart1, J N Halpern, C M Seery
1Department of Radiology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate re-treatment with an additional course of low-dose irradiation in patients with progressive or recurrent choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs).
Materials And Methods:
Ten patients who had received 14 Gy of external-beam radiation therapy in seven fractions for subfoveal CNVMs were found to have recurrent or persistent neovascularization at follow-up. They received an additional 15 Gy of radiation therapy administered in five daily fractions with a standard lens-sparing technique. Before reirradiation, visual acuity ranged from 20/80 to counting fingers. The median time between radiation courses was 6.5 months (range, 2-16 months). After re-treatment, the patients were followed up with angiography and visual field testing. The median follow-up was 18.5 months (range, 12-21 months).
Results:
Eight of 10 patients (80%) maintained their visual acuity at 1 year and three of seven (43%) at 18 months. Visual acuity was stabilized in five of the 10 patients at their last follow-up. No acute or late side effects of irradiation were noted.
Conclusion:
Additional radiation therapy in selected patients with CNVMs who have failed to benefit from previous irradiation is well tolerated and appears to stabilize the disease process in a substantial proportion of these patients.
