The Lancet journal recently featured a report revealing that robot-guided radiation therapy can improve treatment for age-related macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among American senior citizens. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The wet form occurs when abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and then leak blood. This causes scarring of the macula, which is the center of the retina.
Wet AMD treatment involves intravitreal injections which prohibit the growth of the abnormal blood vessels. Typical dosing is every 1 to 3 months. The new therapy involves using a robot-guided radiation therapy that precisely targets radiation to treat a tiny lesion in the back of the eye.
This new therapy also comes with a cost savings due to fewer injections being required. Patients who have received the targeted radiation treatment ended up needing almost 1/4 fewer injections.
