Early argon laser photocoagulation of presumed histoplasma maculopathy

In this study, 66 patients with presumed ocular histplasmic maculopathy and in whom the edge of the neovascular membrane was at least 200 micron from the center of the fovea were selected for treatment with argon laser photocoagulation. They were divided into three groups depending on the time elapsed between the beginning of symptoms and treatment with argon laser photocoagulation. The size of the neovascular membrane, the distance from the center of the fovea, and the presence of hemorrhage in the foveal area were also noted. We found that the most important prognostic factor for best final visual acuity was the interval of time between onset of symptoms and treatment. The study showed that 73.3% (22 of 30) of patients with symptoms of short duration (four weeks or less) compared with 17.6% of those with symptoms of long duration (16 weeks or more) retained 6/15 (20/50) or better final visual acuity following argon laser photocoagulation treatment.