VISUAL OUTCOME AFTER LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION THE INFLUENCE OF INITIAL LESION SIZE AND INITIAL VISUAL-ACUITY
Mg. Maguire et al., VISUAL OUTCOME AFTER LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION THE INFLUENCE OF INITIAL LESION SIZE AND INITIAL VISUAL-ACUITY, Archives of ophthalmology, 112(4), 1994, pp. 480-488
Objective: To provide detailed information specific to the initial vis
ual acuity and initial lesion size on the outcome of patients with sub
foveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related mac
ular degeneration. Design and Patients: The 189 eyes assigned to laser
photocoagulation and the 184 eyes assigned to observation in the Subf
oveal New CNV Study were divided into nine subgroups based on initial
visual acuity and initial lesion size. Main Outcome Measures: The patt
ern of visual acuity loss for both treated and untreated eyes through
4 years of follow-up was compared among the subgroups. Reading speed a
nd contrast thresholds also were examined. Results: Four patterns (A,
B, C, D) of visual acuity loss in treated eyes relative to untreated e
yes were identified. Eyes in group A (small lesion and moderate or poo
r initial visual acuity or medium lesion and poor visual acuity) had t
he best visual outcome with treatment; treated eyes were better throug
hout follow-up. Eyes in group B (small lesion and good initial visual
acuity or medium lesion and moderate or good visual acuity) had substa
ntial treatment benefit by 12 months, but were worse immediately after
treatment. Eyes in group C (large lesion and poor initial visual acui
ty) had a small treatment benefit throughout follow-up. Eyes in group
D (large lesion and moderate or good visual acuity) had the worst visu
al outcome with treatment; treated eyes were substantially worse for t
he first 18 months and were not appreciably better through 4 years of
follow-up. Conclusions: Recommendations for treatment of subfoveal CNV
should take account of the initial visual acuity and lesion size. Eye
s in group D are poor candidates for laser treatment.