Choroidal neovascularization in degenerative myopia: role of laser photocoagulation

Laser photocoagulation of extrafoveal choroidal new vessels was performed in 19 eyes with degenerative myopia. Sixteen eyes required only one treatment. Three eyes required more than one because of incomplete closure of the new vessels after the first treatment. Choroidal new vessel formation did not recur during the post-treatment follow-up period (average 29.2 months), and a dry, atrophic photocoagulation scar was achieved in all eyes. Visual acuity improved in only two eyes (11%), stabilized in four eyes (21%), and deteriorated in 13 eyes (68%). All except two eyes showed spontaneous progressive enlargement of the atrophic photocoagulation scar, which worsened visual acuity in 13 eyes (68%).