Visual results after surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes

The authors report their experience with the surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. Correlations between preoperative characteristics and final postoperative visual acuity are explored.

A retrospective study of 159 consecutive patients was performed between February 1990 and August 1993. Follow-up of 2 or more months was available for 147 eyes: presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, 67 eyes; age-related macular degeneration, 41 eyes; myopia, 10 eyes; multifocal choroiditis, 9 eyes; idiopathic, 8 eyes; angioid streaks, 4 eyes; and miscellaneous, 8 eyes.

Sixty-seven eyes had presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome: mean follow-up was 10.5 months. Visual acuity was stable or improved in 56 (83%) eyes and 20/40 or greater in 21 (31%) eyes. Mean interval to best visual acuity was 3 months. A recurrence rate of 37% had no significant effect on final visual outcome (P = 0.952). Forty-one eyes had age-related macular degeneration: mean follow-up was 15 months. Visual acuity was improved in only five (12%) eyes and was 20/40 or greater in only two (5%) eyes. The interval to best visual acuity was 5 months. A recurrence rate of 27% had not significant effect on final visual outcome (P = 0.31). The visual results and recurrence rates for eyes with less common disorders are presented.

The surgical excision of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization may stabilize or improve visual acuity in selected cases. Patients with focal disorders of the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch's membrane complex appear to have a better surgical outcome than those with diffuse disease.