LASER MANAGEMENT OF SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in eyes with age-related macula r degeneration is associated with a poor natural prognosis. The Macula r Photocoagulation Study Group recently has demonstrated that subfovea l photocoagulation in select cases of subfoveal choroidal neovasculari zation for patients with age-related macular degeneration effectively prevents severe visual acuity loss and reduces the average loss of con trast sensitivity and reading speed associated with this condition. El igibility criteria and treatment recommendations from the Macular Phot oagulation Study will be reviewed. Results of alternative strategies f or laser photocoagulation of such lesions are also discussed; however, the Macular Photoagulation Study results stand alone in documenting a long-term treatment benefit of photocoagulation for subfoveal choroid al neovascularization.