Open AccessTreatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes with systemic interferonl α 2a
Author(s) -
Loughnan Michael S.,
Heriot Wilson J.,
O'Day Justin
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-1606
pISSN - 0814-9763
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.1992.tb00936.x
Subject(s) - macular degeneration , medicine , choroid , ophthalmology , retina , choroidal neovascularization , surgery , physics , optics
Systemic interferon‐α has recently been reported to be useful in the treatment of choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM) in age‐related macular degeneration. To further investigate its effect we treated eight patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes of various aetiologies including idiopathic, age‐related macular degeneration and myopic chorioretinal degeneration. Only one of the eight patients responded with an angiographically demonstrated decrease in the size of the CNVM; this was in a patient from the idiopathic group. Considerable side‐effects were reported with marked lethargy and malaise limiting compliance with some patients. Although this is an initial report with limited patient numbers and follow‐up, it does suggest a role for interferon‐α in patients with idiopathic neovascular membranes where the retina is otherwise normal, but raises some doubt as to its efficacy in the treatment of age‐related macular degeneration.