Positive outcomes with novel episcleral brachytherapy device for wet AMD

A minimally invasive retrobulbar episcleral brachytherapy device (SMD-I device) (Salutaris Medical Devices) has shown considerable promise in the treatment of a small cohort of exudative AMD patients, according to Kamaljit Balaggan MRCOphth, PhD.

Dr Balaggan reported the feasibility and tolerability of the SMD-I investigational treatment for wet AMD using a single dose of episcleral brachytherapy in conjunction with intraocular anti-VEGF injections.

He noted the strong rationale for using radiation in exudative AMD, taking account of factors such as the radiosensitivity of the proliferating endothelial cells, the reduction in inflammatory and fibrotic processes, and the occlusion of aberrant vessels including vessels with pericyte maturation. Combining radiation treatment and anti-VEGF drugs may reduce the burden of anti-VEGF treatment, increase the proportion of treatment responders and preserve best-corrected visual acuity.