SURGICAL REMOVAL OF AN EXTRAFOVEAL FIBROTIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE WITH FOVEAL SEROUS DETACHMENT IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Background: Visual recovery after submacular surgery for age-related m acular degeneration (AMD) has been very limited. Methods: A patient wi th an extrafoveal fibrotic choroidal neovascular membrane from AMD had an overlying serous foveal detachment with the fibrotic tissue elevat ing the foveal retina. Photocoagulation of the neovascular membrane wa s not recommended because of its nonpigmented, fibrotic nature. The me mbrane was surgically excised. Results: Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and central 30-degrees visual fields were followed. Vis ual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/25, and a preoperative central s cotoma resolved completely 18 months after surgical excision of the ex trafoveal fibrotic neovascular membrane. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusion: This type of patient may r epresent a distinct subset of patients with AMD amenable to subretinal surgery who could potentially have good recovery of vision.