Radiation therapy for treating macular degeneration and applicator

A method of radiation therapy for treating macular degeneration of a patient's eye, said eye including a lens, optic nerve and sclera and being located in an eye socket of said patient, comprising:

• (a) disposing a therapeutic quantity of a .beta. radiation source having a range less than about 1 cm onto a curved applicator sized to fit between said patient's eye socket and sclera;
• and
• (b) exposing a portion of said macular tissue to a dosage of radiation emitted from said .beta. radiation source to irradiate a portion of said macular tissue while not substantially irradiating said patient's lens or optic disc, whereby said macular degeneration is controlled.

A radiation therapy applicator, comprising:

• (a) proximal and distal end portions, said proximal end portion comprising a handle and said distal end portion comprising a stem having a cavity located at its distal tip, said cavity containing a therapeutically active quantity of a radioactive substance providing a dosage rate of at least about 50 cGr/sec. and a radiation depth of no more than about 5 millimeters.

A radiation therapy applicator, comprising:

• proximal and distal end portions, said distal end portion comprising a stem portion having a cavity therein, said cavity containing Sr.sub.90 ;
• said distal end further comprising a selectively removable shield for exposing said Sr.sub.90 for delivering a dose of radiation to a diseased tissue portion of a patient's eye.