Related Experiment Videos
Visual results after laser treatment for peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes
P Turcotte1, M G Maguire, S L Fine
1Retinal Vascular Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract:
To investigate the potentially harmful effects of laser photocoagulation in the papillomacular bundle (PMB), the records of patients treated for idiopathic neovascular membranes or membranes secondary to histoplasmosis extending into the PMB were reviewed. Twenty-eight eyes of 27 patients were identified. Most eyes (75%) were treated with the krypton red laser, while the remainder (25%) were treated with either argon green (18%) or a combination of the two (7%). After treatment 21 eyes (75%) had stable or improved visual acuity and three eyes (11%) lost more than three lines. Four eyes (14%) had changes in the optic disc and one eye developed a permanent arcuate scotoma. These data suggest that severe visual loss and extensive visual field defects occur rarely after photocoagulation of peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes.
Insights
Laser photocoagulation for peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes rarely causes severe vision loss or visual field defects. Most patients experienced stable or improved visual acuity after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Laser Applications
Background:
- Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) poses a risk to vision, particularly when involving the papillomacular bundle (PMB).
- Laser photocoagulation is a treatment modality for CNV, but its safety in the PMB requires evaluation.
Observation:
- A review of 28 eyes from 27 patients treated for PMB involvement of neovascular membranes was conducted.
- Krypton red laser was the predominant treatment (75%), with some eyes receiving argon green or combined lasers.
- Patient records were analyzed for visual acuity, visual field defects, and optic disc changes post-treatment.
Findings:
- 75% of treated eyes maintained or improved visual acuity.
- 11% of eyes experienced a loss of more than three lines of visual acuity.
- 14% of eyes showed optic disc changes, and one eye developed a permanent arcuate scotoma.
Implications:
- Laser photocoagulation for peripapillary CNV appears to be a relatively safe procedure with a low incidence of severe visual impairment.
- The findings support the judicious use of laser photocoagulation in carefully selected cases involving the PMB.
- Further research may refine treatment protocols to minimize risks and optimize outcomes for patients with CNV.