Foveal sparing photocoagulation for exudative age-related macular degeneration.
BACKGROUND
The use of laser photocoagulation with sparing of foveal photoreceptors to control exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with subfoveal involvement was investigated.


METHODS
Patients with exudative AMD and visual acuity of 20/100 or worse were treated with foveal-sparing laser photocoagulation. The full extent of the choroidal neovascular membrane was treated with laser photocoagulation in addition to any associated retinal pigment epithelial detachment, with sparing of the foveal avascular zone. Three cases in which visual acuity improved dramatically are presented.


RESULTS
Laser photocoagulation resulted in control of the exudative process in all patients. The three patients whose cases are presented had dramatic visual improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Foveal-sparing laser photocoagulation is an alternative treatment modality in patients with exudative AMD involving the fovea. The definitive value of this treatment modality can only be determined by a prospective, randomized, clinical trial.
Orth
D H
DH
Department of Ophthalmology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Rosculet
J P
JP
De Bustros
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity