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TTT Versus PDT for Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

NCT00260403 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: PHASE2/PHASE3 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 140

Last updated 2006-02-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The purpose of the study is to compare photodynamic therapy to transpupillary thermotherapy as a treatment method for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration ( AMD). AMD is a disease affecting the macula, the central area of the retina.There are two main types of AMD. Geographic atrophy ( dry) AMD and neovascular ( wet) AMD. In neovascular AMD, sub-retinal neovascular membranes ( new blood vessels) develop beneath the retina. The new vessels can leak causing haemorrhage that leads to significant visual loss. Photodynamic therapy ( PDT) is a method for treating neovascular membranes without affecting the retina. Photoactive chemicals are injected into the patient and irradiated with light as the pass through the neovascular membranes. This light is strong enough to activate the chemicals, that destroy the blood vessels, but not strong enough to cause damage to the overlying retina. The duration of the treatment is 83s. PDT treatment is effective in predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization ( CNV), but was observed to yield no visual benefit in minimally classic CNV during a 2-year follow-up and as to occult CNV the effect was scarce. PDT does have its drawbacks, one of which is the cost. Another is that the patient become highly sensitive to strong light. Transpupillary thermotherapy ( TTT) is a thermic treatment of choroidal neovascularization in AMD. Using a thermal diode laser ( emission 810 nm), transpupillary irradiation of the fundus through a conventinal contact lens is performed. The temperature is elevated \< 10 degrees C during a 60s exposure to continuous radiation. The laser power is adjusted to the diameter of the laser beam. In a pilot study, Reichel et al. ( 1999) demonstrated that subfoveal occult CNV could be occluded and visual acuity stabilized in a majority of patients treated with TTT. These results has been confirmed in small series of cases with occult CNV and with minimally ( \<50%) classic CNV. This prospective, randomized controlled study aim to compare TTT and PDT as a treatment for occult and minimally classic CNV. A total of 140 patients will be included in the study. Follow up is 2 years. The patients included will be followed as to visual acutiy ( ETDRS), new vessel growth ( fluorescien angiography and ICG), OCT and with a quality of life questionnarie.

Conditions

  • Choroidal Neovascularization

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Photodynamic therapy versus Transpupillary thermotherapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • St. Erik Eye Hospital

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Anne C Odergren, MD · St Eriks Eye Hospital

  • Stefan Seregard, Professor · St Eriks Eye Hospital

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Max Age
85 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2003-06-30
Completion
2008-01-31

Countries

  • Sweden

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00260403 on ClinicalTrials.gov