Reduction in the drusenoid retinal pigment epithelium detachment area in the dry form of age-related macular degeneration 2.5 years after rheohemapheresis
Abstract
Patients and Methods: We have continued therapy with rheohemapheresis in 38 patients, 12 of whom with RPED have been followed for 2.5 years after treatment. For evaluation, the RPED changes are compared with 13 random controls.Examination of the DPED area was performed using fundus photography and the Visupac method (Visupac system, Zeiss, Jena, Germany - in which the DPED area can be measured in mm2).
Results: The primary aim of our study was to assess changes in the DPED area after RH therapy during a long-term (2.5 years) follow-up period. In the RH group, a significant reduction of the DPED area was observed at a significantly higher percentage of patients than in the controls.
This result was unexpected and may be accepted as a marker of improved patient condition.Additionally at 2.5 years, the BCVA level of treated patients increased significantly to 0.68 (0.35 -1.00) (p = 0.035), whereas the BCVA level in the control group significantly decreased to 0.52 (0.25 - 0.80) (p = 0.049). We also observed a decrease in the mean platelet volume after RH, which could be a marker of decreased procoagulation activity.