neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Natural History and Treatment Outcomes.
BACKGROUND
This review summarizes the data reported in peer-reviewed literature and presents current knowledge on differentiation, natural history, and therapeutic outcomes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
The MEDLINE database was searched to review natural history of neovascular AMD and therapeutic effects of available treatments.


RESULTS
The search produced>7,000 articles. Research suggests that fluorescein angiographic characterization of location, composition, and size of neovascular lesions may be important in prognosis and should be considered for evaluation of treatment benefits in conjunction with evidence of recent disease progression for lesions not composed of predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy with verteporfin, and administration of pegaptanib sodium reduce the risk of vision loss in selected cases of neovascular AMD, while submacular surgery can reduce the risk of severe visual acuity loss in selected cases of predominantly hemorrhagic CNV; further approaches are under investigation.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual prognosis of neovascular AMD is variable according to lesion location, composition, and size. Often, lesions have a poor prognosis, resulting in rapid and progressive loss of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Such losses have a profound effect on patients' quality of life and ability to perform everyday tasks. Reducing the risk of further loss of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity might enable patients with neovascular AMD to maintain better functional abilities.
Pauleikhoff
Daniel
D
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Franziskus Hospital, Muenster, Germany. dapauleikhoff@muenster.de
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; C495058:pegaptanib