[Argon laser photocoagulation in the therapy of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration].

The authors evaluate the results of argon laser therapy of extrafoveal and juxtafoveal subretinal neovascular membranes in the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. Their experience is evaluated in the group of 24 eyes of 23 patients during the period of observation lasting from 6 to 42 months. It became obvious that in the group of 24 eyes with extrafoveal and juxtafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane the laser photocoagulation cured up the condition in 17 eyes (71%), whereas the therapy failed in 7 eyes (29%). Vision improved in 7 eyes (29%), retained stabilized in 10 eyes (42%), but deteriorated in 7 eyes (29%). Among 11 eyes with extrafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane the authors reached improvement in 10 eyes (90.9%), the therapy failed with one eye (9.1%), the vision improved in 6 eyes (55%), remained stabilized in 4 eyes (36%), but deteriorated in one eye (9%). In 13 eyes with juxtafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane 7 eyes were cured up (54%), the therapy failed in 6 eyes (46%), vision improved in one eye (8%), remained stabilized in 6 eyes (46%), but deteriorated in 6 eyes (46%). Based on the results obtained it has become obvious that laser photocoagulation is a useful method for the therapy of extrafoveal and juxtafoveal subretinal nasovascular membranes in te age-related macular degeneration. Better prognosis has been shown in the extrafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane.