LASERCOAGULATION OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR D EGENERATION

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common disease in ophthalm ology. The current status of knowledge in subretinal neovascularisatio ns concerning epidemiology and treatment based on the findings of the macular photocoagulation study is shown. Most important parameters in treament of subretinal neovascularisations in AMD are exact localizati on of the membrane in fluorescein angiography, its size and the visual acuity. The treatment of extrafoveal, well demarcated membranes can b e recommended. Moreover recent results in the treatment of subfoveal, well demarcated membranes show some benefit for the patient as long as the size of the membrane is lower than 2 discs areas and the actual v isual acuity is taken into account. Indocyanin-Green-(ICG)-angiography is recommended in occult subretinal membranes. Guidelines for the tre atment are given.