Surgical removal of choroidal neovascular membranes after laser photocoagulation for diabetic maculopathy

Choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) occurs rarely following laser photocoagulation for macular oedema in diabetic retinopathy, and its management is not well established. We report the clinical course and visual outcomes in a series of patients who underwent surgical extraction of the CNV membrane.

A retrospective review of 4 cases was carried out.

Two women and 2 men, mean age 59.5 (range 58-62) years, were reviewed. The CNV developed 2-24 (mean 11) months after laser coagulation and resulted in decreased visual acuity to between 6/60 and HM. All underwent pars plana vitrectomy, extraction of the CNV membrane and fluid-air exchange. Follow-up ranged between 9 and 48 months. In 2 patients, the vision improved by 4 and 1 Snellen lines respectively and remained stable, in 1 patient it improved by 1 line initially but then regressed to CF, and in 1 patient it remained unchanged. Recurrence of CNV occurred in only 1 patient. Histological characteristics were those of CNV without evidence of photoreceptors.

This study shows that surgical removal of post-laser CNV is technically feasible despite the previous laser scars and may have beneficial outcome. This surgical approach may provide a therapeutic option in such patients.