Long-term follow-up of photocoagulated choroidal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration.
Eighty-nine consecutive eyes with age-related macular degeneration and choroidal neovascularization treated with green argon laser were followed for an average of 54 months after photocoagulation. Good anatomical and functional results were obtained in 36 of 52 eyes (69%) with foveal new vessels, in 12 of 20 eyes (60%) with juxtafoveal new vessels, and in 13 of 17 eyes (76%) with perifoveal new vessels. Thirty-four of the 89 eyes (38%) had at least one recurrence of new vessels, which most often affected the edge of the previously treated area (30 eyes, 34%). In 18 eyes (20%), these recurrences involved the edge of the scar closer to the fovea.
D000368:Aged; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic