Interferon alpha-2a in the treatment of exudative senile macular degeneration.

We performed a pilot study of 10 patients with the objective to determine the efficacy of interferon alpha-2a in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration with freshly diagnosed choroidal neovascular membrane. Interferon was given at a dose of 3 MIU/m2 three times a week for 8 weeks. Mean age of the patients was 74 years. In 3 patients we combined laser photocoagulation of extrafoveal part of the choroidal neovascular membrane to interferon therapy. The patients were followed up for 1 year after termination of interferon treatment. In 1 patient a visual improvement of two Snellen lines was noted, while in 7 patients visual acuity remained the same during the treatment (includes 3 patients treated with combined Krypton-laser photocoagulation). In 2 patients there was a decrease in acuity of one line. Six months later visual acuity had deteriorated in 7 patients and 1 year later all the patients had visual acuity < or = 20/200. We did not find any regression of choroidal neovascular membrane in fluorescein angiography in any of the patients during the treatment except the laser-treated area. At the 6-month follow-up there was still leakage or choroidal neovascular membrane growth in 6 patients. Combined interferon-laser therapy did not prove to be more effective in preventing the membrane growth. Side-effects included weakness, apathy, and fatigue in this elderly population. Our results indicate that treatment with 3 MIU/m2 interferon for 8 weeks is not an effective treatment for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes.