Perifoveal laser treatment for subfoveal choroidal new vessels in age-related macular degeneration. Results of a randomized clinical trial.
In a controlled clinical trial, 160 eyes underwent "perifoveal" laser photocoagulation. All patients had age-related macular degeneration and subfoveal neovascularization (0.5 to 2.5 disc diameters), without detectable fibrous tissue, and visual acuity from 20/100 to 20/1000. At least 1 year of follow-up has been completed in 127 eyes. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 12 (20.3%) of 59 untreated eyes vs 28 (41.1%) of 68 treated eyes (P = .04). Reading visual acuity (J4) with the use of low-vision aids was retained in 28 untreated eyes (47.4%) vs 50 treated eyes (73.5%) (P less than .01). Automated static perimetry showed an increased scotomatous area and/or depth with eccentric fixation in all but four patients. A flat atrophic scar was achieved in 53 of 68 treated eyes. Statistical analysis indicated that perifoveal photocoagulation has been effective in the short-term preservation of visual acuity.
Coscas
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G
Department of Ophthalmology of Créteil, University of Paris-XII, France.
Soubrane
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G
Ramahefasolo
C
C
Fardeau
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields