Abstract

FR.13.16

Photocoagulation of age-related juxtapapillary chorioidal neovascularization

Butros S., Lang G. E.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ulm

Objective: Age-related macular degeneration is the most frequent cause of formation of chorioidal new vessels (CNV) in the macula. They can be differentiated in classic and occult neovascularizations, which can also occur combined. 90% of the patients with macular degenerations have juxtapapillary chorioretinal atrophies. These areas have defects in Bruch's membrane, which can lead to chorioidal neovascularizations.
Methods: Age-related juxtapapillary chorioidal neovascularizations of 13 eyes were treated with frequency doubled Nd-YAG-Laser (532 nm). The CNV's were classified with fluorescein angiography. Best corrected visual acuity before and after photocoagulation of the CNV was retrospectively analyzed. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 32 months (median 7 months).
Results: The age of the patients ranged from 68 to 87 (median 81 years). All 13 eyes had an age-related juxtapapillary chorioidal neovascularization within the papillo-macular bundle with involvement of the macula but without subfoveal CNV. 11 eyes had an occult CNV, one eye a minimal classic and one eye the classic form. In 12 eyes an age-related juxtapapillary chorioretinal atrophy was seen. In 10 eyes visual acuity increased after photocoagulation (7 eyes increase of one or two lines, 3 eyes of 4 lines and more). 2 eyes with macular involvement showed a stable visual acuity, in 1 eye visual acuity was worse after photocoagulation (4 lines).
Conclusions: Therapeutic benefit of photocoagulation of juxta- and extrafoveal classic CNV was already proven. According to our results, photocoagulation is also a good treatment modality of the age-related juxtapapillary chorioidal neovascularization.

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