Regression of disc neovascularization by photocoagulation in the acute retinal necrosis syndrome

Disc neovascularization developed in one eye of a 40-year-old white woman with the acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Krypton laser scatter photocoagulation was placed in areas of nonnecrotic and segmentally nonperfused retina that were demonstrated by fluorescein angiography. Marked reduction in disc neovascularization was noted clinically 16 days after laser treatment and was confirmed angiographically 4 weeks after treatment. Neovascularization was completely regressed at 9 weeks after treatment. The authors postulate that the retinal vasculitis and nonperfusion produced retinal ischemia which stimulated neovascular proliferation, and that photocoagulation caused regression of the neovascularization.