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Transpupillary
Thermotherapy (TTT) uses a long-pulse 810-nanometer infrared laser
that penetrates beneath the level of the retinal pigment epithelium.
This is a broad beam laser that can be used to treat a large, ill-defined
CNV.
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| Occult CNV
prior to treatment with Transpupillary Thermotherapy (TTT). |
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| Occult CNV following treatment with
TTT. Note complete cessation of leakage in the central macular area. |
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Because
the laser energy is dissipated below the retinal pigment epithelium,
the neurosensory retina is spared The laser light is also poorly
absorbed by hemoglobin, which allows treatment through preretinal
or subretinal hemorrhages.
TTT clinical trials showed that approximately 8 to 20% of treated
patients had some recovery in acuity, 70% remained stable with control
of the underlying CNV, and 10-12% continued to have declining acuity.
In these latter patients, the decline was not considered to be a
result of treatment but rather a result of disease progression.
These results are far better than the natural course of occult CNV
in which only about 38% of eyes remain stable.
TTT can also be used in the treatment of intraocular tumours like
choroidal melanoma, choroidal hemangioma & retinoblastoma.
At Ahalia, we have the Iridex 810-nanometer infrared laser with slit
lamp connection for TTT.
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