A New Standard of Care for Laser Photocoagulation of Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

EVER SINCE THE efficacy and safety of laser photocoagulation of extrafoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were initially confirmed by clinical trials, some ophthalmologists have assumed that subfoveal CNV treatment could offer a similar benefit. In the past, the standard of care for such treatment by these clinicians was governed empirically by the size of the imaged neovascularization and the state of the vision: treatment was recommended for small membranes with poor vision but was not recommended for large membranes with good vision. In September 1991, the Macular Photocoagulation Study Group (MPS) surprised many members of the ophthalmic community with the results of its clinical trial on laser photocoagulation of subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD.¹ The earlier analysis of the data supported the recommendation for laser treatment of patients with well-demarcated, or so-called classic, CNV with certain limitations based on strict definitions of