Our colleagues mention plasmapheresis/rheohemapheresis and low-level laser therapy as therapy options for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
A discussion of treatment methods that are neither mentioned in the treatment recommendations from German associations of ophthalmology (1), nor in guidelines from NICE or the American Academy of Ophthalmology, would have gone beyond the scope of our article (2).
With respect to rheopheresis, I would like to add that one of the largest self-help groups in Germany (Pro Retina e. V.) has pointed out the high costs for patients of rheopheresis.
A single treatment usually costs around 1500 Euro. With an initial treatment frequency of mostly eight cycles, the costs of treatment already at the start of therapy are around 12000 Euro, which are usually covered by the patients themselves. In the following years, a further four treatments per year are often suggested (3).
In a detailed analysis of rheopheresis in AMD, Finger and colleagues further stress the fact that rheopheresis not only lacks evidence of effectiveness and is costly but also bears medical risks (4).
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement
Prof. Stahl has served as a paid consultant for Novartis and Bayer. He has received reimbursement of scientific meeting participation fees and of travel and accommodation expenses, as well as payment for the preparation of continuing medical education sessions, from Allergan, Bayer, and Novartis.
References
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