Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of brimonidine applied topically to the eyes of patients undergoing laser treatment for extrafoveal or juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Method
In this prospective, controlled, double-masked pilot study, 20 eyes were randomized to receive either brimonidine 0.2% (study group, 11 eyes) or placebo (matched control group, 9 eyes). Medications were topically applied twice a day during a period of 4–48 h before laser treatment and were continued for 1 month.
Results
Two eyes in each group had severe visual loss owing to recurrence of CNV. In the remaining 16 eyes there was a significant improvement in the study group, but no improvement in the control group (P=0.027).
Conclusion
Topical brimonidine improves the visual outcome of laser-treated classic extrafoveal or juxtafoveal CNV, possibly by protecting the neuroretina against collateral damage caused by the laser treatment.
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Ferencz, J.R., Gilady, G., Harel, O. et al. Topical brimonidine reduces collateral damage caused by laser photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 243, 877–880 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-1160-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-005-1160-7