Laser treatment of detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium associated with sub-retinal neovascularization in the context of age-related macular degeneration: retrospective study

Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) associated with subretinal new vessels (SRNV) is a particular aspect of Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). We retrospectively analysed the results of dye laser photocoagulation in 63 eyes of 56 patients with vascularised PED. We photocoagulated in a confluen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBulletin de la Société Belge d'Ophtalmologie Vol. 267; p. 81
Main Authors Postelmans, L, Papadakou, M, Verougstraete, C
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published Belgium 1997
Subjects
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - pathology
Female
Humans
Laser Coagulation
Macular Degeneration - etiology
Male
Middle Aged
Retinal Detachment - surgery
Retinal Neovascularization
Retrospective Studies
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Summary:Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) associated with subretinal new vessels (SRNV) is a particular aspect of Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). We retrospectively analysed the results of dye laser photocoagulation in 63 eyes of 56 patients with vascularised PED. We photocoagulated in a confluent manner the presumed zones of SRNV, detected by fluorescein angiography and three-mirrors-lens examination. In most cases, the SRNV were of the occult type. In 89% of the treated eyes we obtained a flattening of the PED and the visual acuity was stabilized or ameliorated in 66% of the cases after a mean follow up of 29 months. This final visual acuity was better or equal to 1/10 in 64% of the cases and superior or equal to 5/10 in 46% of the cases. Subfoveal SRNV, initial visual acuity of less than 1/10, and persistence or recurrence of the PED after treatment were of bad prognosis. However, recurrence of the SRNV was not necessarily of bad prognosis if it could be retreated. Treatment of interpapillomacular SRNV had the best prognosis. Laser photocoagulation can be beneficial in well selected patients with vascularised PED.
ISSN:0081-0746