Evaluation of persistence of subretinal neovascular membranes using digitized angiographic analysis

A study was conducted using the digitized fluorescein angiogram (DFA) system to evaluate adequacy of coverage of laser treatment for subretinal neovascular membranes (SRNVM) and to confirm that complete coverage lowers the incidence of persistent SRNVMs. Ten consecutive cases were evaluated with the DFA system after undergoing a single laser treatment. Three cases were judged to be adequately treated, and the remaining seven cases were judged to be inadequately treated. The DFA system was then used during photocoagulation in 16 consecutive cases to verify complete coverage of the SRNVM or to indicate the need for photocoagulation augmentation. Despite augmentation, 2 of the 16 cases remained inadequately treated. Overall, the cases that were adequately treated had a 12% (2/17) persistence rate, whereas those that were inadequately treated had a persistence rate of 67% (6/9). The data indicate that adequate coverage of SRNVMs is essential to prevent persistence.