Factors influencing visual acuity after photocoagulation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization of exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract

To evaluate factors influencing visual acuity after laser photocoagulation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization of exudative age-related macular degeneration. Subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes were photocoagulated. Factors favoring a visual acuity of 20/200 or better were analyzed using Fisher's exact probability test or chi-square test on 28 eyes in which visual acuity was 20/200 or better, and 23 eyes with a visual acuity below 20/200 at the most recent follow-up examination. Factors predicting a postoperative visual acuity of 20/200 or better were (1) distance between one lateral margin of the neovascular membrane and the center of the foveal avascular zone was one-third disc diameter or less, and (2) pretreatment retinal sensitivity at the fixation point was 10 dB or more. Good indications for photocoagulation treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane were a neovascular membrane margin near the center of the foveal avascular zone and relatively good retinal sensitivity at the fixation point adjacent to the scotoma. These factors predict a visual acuity of 20/200 or better after treatment.