Haemorheopheresis could block the progression of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration with soft drusen to the neovascular form
Abstract
The aim of the study was the evaluation of the influence of haemorheopheresis on soft-drusen maculopathy. We investigated 29 eyes (16 patients) and randomized 25 eyes (16 controls) with soft-drusen maculopathy.
Each patient received 8 series of haemorheophereses (cascade filtration of 1.5 plasma volume within 10 weeks. After the procedures, there was a substantial reduction in rheologically active substances, plasma and blood viscosity.
At the 1.5-year follow-up, we noticed soft drusen absorption; reattachment of drusenoid RPED and stabilization or improvement of visual acuity occurred in 72% of patients in comparison to only 39% of patients in the control group. Haemorheopheresis seems to be capable of changing the activity of promoters of the natural course of soft-drusen maculopathy, its development and progression.
Visual acuity and electrical activity of the retina can be stabilized or even improved. The therapy has been shown to be effective and safe.