Macular degeneration is rarely treated with radiotherapy.
Laser Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy was hypothesised to prevent macular degeneration by halting the proliferation of vascular tissues, in a similar way to its effects on wound healing. In 1993, Chakravarthy and colleagues presented a pilot study showing good rates of vision preservation compared to controls. Further randomised studies demonstrated no statistical difference versus controls and radiotherapy never became a common therapy for the condition.
In an attempt to localise treatment to the macula, intraocular brachytherapy devices using Strontium-90 have been developed.
The current push in the literature (see Avila et al) is combination of brachytherapy with the targeted therapies described above. Early results are promising but long term and randomised outcomes are awaited.
