Subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration. Visual prognosis in eyes with relatively good initial visual acuity

D. R. Guyer, S. L. Fine, M. G. Maguire, B. S. Hawkins, S. L. Owens and R. P. Murphy

We determined the visual prognosis of 94 eyes in 92 patients having age-related macular degeneration, a discrete choroidal neovascular membrane directly under the center of the foveal avascular zone (subfoveal), and an initial visual acuity of 20/100 or better. Of the patients who were reexamined 24 months following their initial presentation, 77% had lost at least four lines of vision and 64% had lost at least six lines. Estimation of visual loss using a conservative assessment procedure showed four-line visual loss in 65% of the patients and six-line loss in 50%. In general, the better the visual acuity at the initial examination, the more likely the patient was to have a smaller choroidal neovascular membrane. These results suggest that it may be reasonable to consider a randomized clinical trial of laser photocoagulation for this group of patients with a relatively poor visual prognosis.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Effect of Bevacizumab on Inflammation and Proliferation in Human Choroidal Neovascularization
Tatar et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126:782-790.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A phase I trial of stereotactic external beam radiation for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration
Barak et al.
Br. J. Radiol. 2005;78:827-831.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Morphometric Analysis of Angiograms of Exudative Lesions in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Ali et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122:710-715.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Zarbin
Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122:598-614.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Palladium-103 plaque radiation therapy for macular degeneration: results of a 7 year study
Finger et al.
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2003;87:1497-1503.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Expression of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor in Experimental Choroidal Neovascularization
Renno et al.
IOVS 2002;43:1574-1580.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Photodynamic Therapy Using Lu-Tex Induces Apoptosis In Vitro, and Its Effect Is Potentiated by Angiostatin in Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells
Renno et al.
IOVS 2000;41:3963-3971.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Bst locus on mouse chromosome 16 is associated with age-related subretinal neovascularization
Smith et al.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2000;97:2191-2195.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT