Another treatment may slow the progression of the wet form of macular degeneration in your older patients, especially if they�re ineligible for laser surgery because of the site, size or irregularity of the affected area of the eye.

Dr. Robert H. Sagerman of the State University of New York in Syracuse studied 146 patients, average age 75, and found that 60% of those treated with an 8-day course of low-dose radiation had stabilized vision a year later. Dr. Sagerman reported that the radiation was very well tolerated, with no pain, nausea, vomiting, hair loss or temporary vision loss. "Treatment is better than no treatment," he concludes. "If this treatment delays progression of the condition by even 2 years, it�s worth it."