Optimal laser energy for transpupillary thermotherapy of occult choroidal neovacularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration

Objective To investigate the optimal laser energy of transpupillary thermotherapy for occult choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration.Methods Thitry seven eyes of occult in degeneration were treated with IRIS 810 nanometers diode laser transpuptllary thermotherapy.Laser beam size was 1.0,2.0 or 3.0 millimeters,respectively.Treatment time was 60 seconds.Power settings were determined according to dioptric media,laser beam size and hemorrhage.Follow up was arranged 4-25 months after treatment.The visual acuity determination,clinical examination and fluorescein were performed.Results During the follow up,vision improved in 3 eyes(8.1%),the visual acuity could be stabilized in 28 eyes(75.7%),and vision decreased in 6 eyes(16.1%).Choroidal neovascularization was closed in 15 eyes(40.6%),and the choroidal meovascularization was partly extinct in 16 eyes(43.2%),and choroidal neovascularization had not improved in 6 eyes(16.2%).Conclusion Transpupillary thermotherapy is a potential treatment for the occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.Further prospective controlled studies are necessary to confirm the effective energy in the treatment.