Pre- and postoperative SLO fundus-controlled perimetric results of surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in AMD

The follow-up of central scotomas and fixation - next to visual acuity - ar e important parameters for the evaluation of new therapies in AMD. Patients and methods: Twenty-three patients (age 67 to 91 years) with subfo veal CNV had SLO fundus-controlled perimetry before and 6-8 weeks after sur gical removal of the CNV. The size and location of deep (0 dB) and relative (12 dB) scotomas were measured. Stability and location of fixation were an alyzed. Results: Fifty-six percent of patients gained (10% lost) more than 2 lines of VA; 52% of deep scotomas decreased in size (26% increased). No relative scotoma increased, but 63% decreased, some remarkably. Most scotomas had st eeper borders postoperatively. Five of 7 patients were able to fixate again . Fixation moved slightly more peripheral in 4 patients and was otherwise u nchanged. None of 7 patients whose fixation was close to their fovea preope ratively lost that fixation. Conclusion: Subfoveal surgery may stabilize the course of subfoveal CNV in AMD at 6 weeks follow-up. In some patients the major benefit can be a reduc tion of relative scotoma due to reattachment of the retina. As the location of fixation changes little with surgery and is typically located within th e area of relative scotoma, visual function can improve.