Method and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy

A method for delivering radiation to a target tissue comprising sub-macular choroidal neo vascularization (CNV) associated with macular degeneration in an eye from the interior of the eye with a radiation delivery device having an elongated probe associated therewith, the probe having a distal end through which radiation can be selectively administered to the target tissue, the method comprising:

• creating an access to the interior of the eye through a surface of the eye;
• introducing the probe into the interior of the eye through the access;
• positioning the distal end of the probe a predetermined distance from the target tissue;
• protecting non-target tissue from radiation emitted from the distal end of the probe by detaching a portion of the retina from the target tissue to form a bleb;
• maintaining the bleb by injecting a high viscosity fluid into the sub-retinal space;
• delivering a dose of radiation to the target tissue, including attenuating the peak radiation dose delivered by the probe to the target tissue closest to the distal tip of the probe;
• and
• after exposing the sub-retinal space to radiation, removing the high viscosity fluid from the bleb.