FACTORS INFLUENCING VISUAL-ACUITY AFTER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION OF EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Purpose: To evaluate factors influencing visual acuity after laser pho tocoagulation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization of exudative age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Subfoveal choroidal neovasc ular membranes were photocoagulated, Factors favoring a visual acuity of 20/200 or better were analyzed using Fisher's exact probability tes t or chi-square test on 28 eyes in which visual acuity was 20/200 or b etter, and 23 eyes with a visual acuity below 20/200 at the most recen t follow-up examination. Results: Factors predicting a postoperative v isual acuity of 20/200 or better were (1) distance between one lateral margin of the neovascular membrane and the center of the foveal avasc ular zone was one-third disc diameter or less, and (2) pretreatment re tinal sensitivity at the fixation point was 10 dB or more. Conclusion: Good indications for photocoagulation treatment of subfoveal choroida l neovascular membrane were a neovascular membrane margin near the cen ter of the foveal avascular zone and relatively good retinal sensitivi ty at the fixation point adjacent to the scotoma. These factors predic t a visual acuity of 20/200 or better after treatment.