Krypton red laser photocoagulation of subretinal neovascular membranes located within the foveal avascular zone.

Fifty-one eyes with senile macular degeneration and a well-defined subretinal neovascular membrane located within 250 microns from the center of the foveal avascular zone were treated with krypton red laser photocoagulation. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 18 months (mean, 10 months). The eyes were divided into two groups based upon the location of the neovascular membrane. Group I (juxtafoveal membrane 1 to 250 microns from the center of the foveal avascular zone) contained 26 eyes. Following treatment the visual acuity in 16 of the 26 eyes (62%) improved by two or more lines on the Snellen chart or stabilized. Group II (subfoveal membrane present under the center of the foveal avascular zone) contained 25 eyes. Following treatment only 7 of 25 eyes (28%) improved by two or more Snellen lines or maintained their pretreatment visual acuity. Of 16 eyes that had a pretreatment visual acuity of 20/100 or better, only 2 eyes (12%) remained in this group following treatment.