DEVELOPMENT OF EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AFTER CATARACT-SURGERY

The macular status of patients with findings consistent with early dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who underwent an extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation was evaluated by fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography pre-operatively and during t he first post-operative year, Five patients who developed the exudativ e form of AMD, and who represent the problems arising when treating pa tients with AMD and cataract, are described. Patients who received las er photocoagulation responded with recurrent choroidal neovascularisat ion. We suggest that patients with signs of age-related changes schedu led for cataract surgery should undergo a thorough pre-and post-operat ive assessment of their retinal status.