PHOTOCOAGULATION OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANES WITH A DIODE-LASER

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.