Changes in lesion size after submacular surgery for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in the submacular surgery trials pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the size of subfoveal lesions based on photographic documentation before and after submacular surgery of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesions.


METHODS
Subfoveal lesion sizes at baseline and month 3 follow-up visits for patients assigned to surgery in the Submacular Surgery Trials (SST) Pilot Study were assessed categorically using Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) disc area (DA) circles. The Submacular Surgery Trials Pilot Study groups reviewed were as follows: Group N (age-related macular degeneration [AMD]; lesion <50% blood; classic CNV present; size < or =9 MPS DAs); Group R (AMD; prior nonfoveal laser; classic CNV present; size < or =9 MPS DAs); Group B (AMD; lesion > or =50% blood); and Group H (ocular histoplasmosis syndrome or idiopathic; classic CNV present; size < or =9 MPS DAs).


RESULTS
Postoperative month 3 lesion size was at least 1 size category smaller than the preoperative lesion size in 6% (4/66) of Group N, 0 (0/31) of Group R, 6% (2/34) of Group H, and 45% (18/40) of Group B eyes. In Group H eyes, there was no size change in 50% (17/34), and enlargement was found in 44% (15/34). For eyes in Groups N and R, approximately one third remained stable (20/66, 30% and 12/31, 39%, respectively), whereas two thirds enlarged by at least 1 category (42/66, 64% and 19/31, 61%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The change in lesion size after submacular surgery was variable, with a tendency for Group H lesions to remain the same size or larger, Group B lesions to measure smaller, and Group N and Group R lesions to be larger.
Sadda
Srinivas R
SR
Doheny Retina Institute, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Pieramici
Dante J
DJ
Marsh
Marta J
MJ
Bressler
Neil M
NM
Bressler
Susan B
SB
D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013577:Syndrome