Argon green laser treatment of peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes

Of 27 eyes with peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes (PPCNM), 17 (63%) had age-related macular degeneration and ten (37%) were idiopathic. PPCNM were treated in 25 eyes using the monochromatic green argon laser. Two eyes were untreatable. After an average follow-up of 37.7 months, successful closure of the choroidal new vessels was obtained in 23 eyes (92%), and visual acuity was stabilized or improved in 20 (80%). Seven eyes (28%) had recurrences; in four, the new vessels extended into the macula. Post-treatment, three eyes ultimately had dry macular scars, and one had an exudative macular scar. Of these four eyes, only the one with a dry macular scar showed visual improvement. No treated cases showed arcuate scotoma.