title: Tunable dye laser photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization complicating age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: We report our first 146 consecutive eyes treated with tunable dye laser for choroidal neovascular membrane (NVM) complicating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They were treated with the orange (595 nm; N = 6), red (630 nm; N = 23), yellow (577 nm; N = 67), or sequential red-yellow (N = 50) wavelength of the tunable dye laser. All had a minimum 180 days follow-up. Eyes were analyzed as two groups categorized by pretreatment visual acuity (VA): 20/100 or better (N = 101), and 20/200 or worse (N = 45). Change in VA between baseline and most recent follow-up was studied by age, laser color, previous non-dye laser treatment, and number of treatments. Age was a statistically significant variable (chi 2 = 6.61, degree of freedom = 2, P less than 0.05). In eyes with initial VA of 20/100 or better, age also was significant for cumulative percent loss in VA of greater than or equal to 2 lines. We discontinued using orange after poor early clinical results. Our results suggest that the dye laser's variety and combination of wavelengths may provide advantages in treating NVM complicating AMD.
authors: Retina Associates of Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Singerman
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Kalski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D014792:Visual Acuity