Effect of Interferon alpha 2a on Retinal Neovascular Membrane in High Myopia

Lee, In Sung; Yoon, Young Doo; Kwon, Oh Woong

Abstract

Despite the progress in the treament of the subretinal neovascular membrane(SRNVM) by the development of laser photocoagulation, it has been reported difficult to manage with laser photocoagu1ation on which developed in high myopic eyes: first, their location in relation to the foveola is usually difficult to discriminate; second, subretinal neovascular m6mbrane developes very close to the foveola; third, the atrophic photocoagulation scar may extend to the foveola. The interferone alpha 2a has been known to suppress angiogenetic activity, and its application to subretinal neovascular membrane in high myopia has been suggested. The effect of interferon alpha 2a on neovascular membrane in high myopia was investigated by the authors. Subjects included 16 eyes with interferon treament and 12 eyes as control who had been followed for 3 months or longer. The median total dose in these patients was 75 X 10(6) units, given over a six- to eight-week period. In the interferon treament group, the activity of neovascular membrane decreased in 9 eyes(56%) and the visual acuity improved in 7 eyes(44%). In contrast, the control group showed a sustained activity of neovascular membrane and the visual acuity was improved in only one eye(6%). Therefore, interferon alpha 2a can be considered as an alternative method in the management of the some subretinal neovascualr membrane in high myopia which is resistant to the other treament.