[Idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis. Long-term follow-up of visual acuity]

The beneficial effect of laser therapy on idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis is questionable. We therefore studied retrospectively the spontaneous course of the disease and tried to show a correlation between the initial angiographic findings and visual outcome. In addition, the results after laser therapy were compared with untreated patients. Thirteen patients (24 eyes) with idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis diagnosed by fluorescein angiography were reexamined after a mean time interval of 38 months. Argon laser coagulation had been performed in 6 patients. The initial extension of fluorescein leakage was divided angiographically into three different stages. The existence of secondary macular changes and peripheral involvement was noted. The mean visual acuity decreased from 0.71 to 0.62 over the follow-up period. No correlation could be found between the final visual outcome and initial extension of telangiectasis or existence of secondary changes. After laser coagulation the patients did not show a better visual outcome. Due to the relatively benign spontaneous course of idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis laser coagulation cannot be recommended in general. Only in exceptional cases (e.g., development of subretinal neovascularization) can laser coagulation be of benefit.