手术切除黄斑下脉络膜新生血管治疗老年性黄斑病变的远期疗效

Longterm results in surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in agerelated macular degeneration

Purpose: This study aimed to analyse visual outcome, surgical complications an d recurrence rates 3 years after removal of subretinal choroidal neovascularizat ion (CNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: The study involved a retrospective analysis of 50 eyes of 50 patients who underwent surgical removal of CNV in AMD between February 1996 and June 1998. The minimum follow-up period was 36 months. Improvement or worsening of visual acuity (VA) was defined as a change of more than two lines. Results: The mean reduction in VA was 2.2 ±6.9 lines. Visual acuity improved in 12 eyes, remained stable in 16 eyes and worsened in 22 eyes. Recurrence of CNV occurred in three eyes. Conclus ion: After surgical excision of age-related subfoveal CNV, VA improved or stabi lized in a large group of patients. Considering the development of VA and the lo w recurrence rate, surgical treatment seems to be beneficial compared to the nat ural course of CNV over a longterm follow-up of more than 3 years.