Feasibility Study of Balloon Angioplasty for the Treatment of Ophthalmic Artery Stenoses in Patients With Geographic Atrophy.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

A safety and feasibility study was conducted using balloon angioplasty to treat ophthalmic artery (OA) stenoses in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with geographic atrophy (GA).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patients ≥ 60 years of age received OA angioplasty using an investigational catheter system and were followed for 6 months. Changes in stenosis, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), MNRead acuity charts, ophthalmic imaging, and a validated questionnaire were evaluated.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were treated. All adverse events were treated as needed and resolved without sequelae. Treated patients demonstrated a mean improvement over baseline in BCVA (P = .01) and reading speed (P = .03) at study exit. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness increased over baseline (P = .004) and fellow eyes (P = .03) through week 4, remaining above baseline at study exit. Participants reported mean improvements in both mobility and reading.

CONCLUSION

Treating OA stenoses using angioplasty in patients with GA was safe with apparent visual function benefit.