Abstract
Purpose: :
To report the 2 year findings of the effect upon central macular drusen in eyes treated with peripheral laser photocoagulation.
Methods: :
14 patients with bilateral central macular drusen and normal acuity had one eye treated with 200 argon laser spots (500 micron diameter) in the anterior- superior retinal quadrant. Pre and post-operative drusen area were determined by an established digital protocol, and the findings were verified by double masked observers. The untreated eye was the control.
Results: :
The central drusen area for the treated eyes showed in 4 eyes minimal change (less than 10%), in 8 eyes a significant decrease and in 2 eyes a significant increase (significant = 20% or more). The control eyes showed in 3 eyes minimal change, in 5 eyes a significant decrease and in 6 eyes a significant increase. The net effect for each patient upon the summed central drusen area (OD plus OS) showed 3 patients to be minimally changed, 5 patients to show a slight increase (10 to 20%), and 6 patients to show a slight decrease. No CNV was noted and visual acuity remained unaltered in treated and control eyes.
Conclusions: :
Peripheral laser treatment may affect the course of central macular drusen in both the treated and the untreated eye. Further prospective investigation of these effects is warranted.
Clinical Trial: :
www.ISRCTN.org 96759546
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • drusen • laser