Nine eyes with parafoveal choroidal neovascular membranes due to age-r
elated macular degeneration or angioid streaks were treated with a dio
de laser and were followed up to 40 weeks (mean 26 weeks). Angiographi
cally proved closure of the membrane was achieved in seven eyes. Four
lesions needed a second treatment for growth of subretinal neovascular
tissue. Post-treatment visual acuity ranged from 6/9 to 6/60. Two eye
s developed subfoveal membranes resulting in poor visual acuity. The m
orphology of the diode laser lesions differed from that of the argon g
reen laser and was more similar to that of the krypton laser, producin
g a 'black hole' on the fluorescein positive print. In one particular
eye fluorescein angiography revealed subfoveal choroidal non-perfusion
next to the site of the diode lesion suggesting choroidal vascular cl
osure.