Short-term efficacy and safety of transcleral lutein iontophoresis in patients with intermediate amd and reticular pseudodrusen: A retrospective study
BACKGROUND: There is limited data available on the efficacy and safety of Transscleral Lutein Iontophoresis (TSLI) in patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) and reticular pseudodrusen (RPD). METHODS: This retrospective multicentre study evaluated the functional and morphological outcomes of TSLI in patients with stage 2 and stage 3 iAMD with RPD. Autofluorescence (AF), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Intraocular Pressure (IOP), Macular Sensitivity (MS) and adverse events, were recorded at baseline, 1 month and 3 months follow-up after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty eyes from 30 patients, (15 ♂: 15 ♀), mean age (70.3 ± 7.8 years) were included. BCVA improved significantly, from mean baseline 65.6 ± 8.6 ETDRS letters to 66.9 ± 8.0 at 1 month and 69.1 ± 7.8 at 3 months (ANOVA, p < 0.0001, respectively), along with MS, (ANOVA p < 0.001). There was a significant increase of stage 1 RPD (p = 0.002) and a decrease in stage 3 RPD (p = 0.020). The Outer Nuclear Layer (ONL) thickness increased significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.0001). No adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION: TSLI appears to be an effective, safe technique in patients with iAMD and RPD, leading to structural and functional improvements in short-term follow-up.
Authors
- Robert Ręjdak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3321-2723)
- Giuseppe Giannaccare (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2617-0289)
- Vincenzo Scorcia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6826-7957)
- Enrico Borrelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2815-5031)
- Sandrine Zweifel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7431-1774)
- Adriano Carnevali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9950-6743)
- Mario Damiano Toro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7152-2613)
- Daniela Bacherini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7578-7563)
- Paola Marolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8881-0926)
- N Castellino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1818-6686)
- Mutasem Elfalah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9677-6203)
- Andrea Lucisano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1382-0828)
- Carlo De Rosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5968-1774)
- Yacoub A. Yousef
- Francesco Iatì
- Vincenco De Angelis
- Michele Reibaldi
Institutions
- University of Jordan (JO)
- Medical University of Lublin (PL)
- University of Cagliari (IT)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- King Hussein Cancer Center (JO)
- Magna Graecia University (IT)
- University of Catania (IT)
- Ospedale Antonio Cardarelli (IT)
- University Hospital of Zurich (CH)
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (IT)
- Federico II University Hospital (IT)
- Department of Medical Sciences (BY)
- University of Turin (IT)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Eye
- Published
- 2026-07-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-026-04731-7
- Primary Topic
- Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00