title: Laser management of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: Subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in eyes with age-related macular degeneration is associated with a poor natural prognosis.  The Macular Photocoagulation Study Group recently has demonstrated that subfoveal photocoagulation in select cases of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization for patients with age-related macular degeneration effectively prevents severe visual acuity loss and reduces the average loss of contrast sensitivity and reading speed associated with this condition.  Eligibility criteria and treatment recommendations from the Macular Photocoagulation Study will be reviewed.  Results of alternative strategies for laser photocoagulation of such lesions are also discussed; however, the Macular Photocoagulation Study results stand alone in documenting a long-term treatment benefit of photocoagulation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Custis
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bressler
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Bressler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity