IngentaConnect Prophylactic laser treatment in early age-related maculopathy: an...

Author: Frennesson, Christina I.¹

Source: Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, Volume 81, Number 5, October 2003 , pp. 449-454(6)

Abstract:

. Purpose:

To study the effect of mild laser treatment on the incidence of exudative complications in patients with soft drusen maculopathy in a longterm perspective. Methods:

In a prospective study, 38 patients with early age-related maculopathy and good visual acuity (VA) were randomized either to laser treatment using an argon green laser or to observation. At 8 years, 29 patients remained in the study, 16 in the control group and 13 in the treatment group. Results:

During follow-up, mean VA decreased significantly in both groups, to 0.53 in the treatment group (p < 0.05) and to 0.25 in the control group (p < 0.001). At 8 years, 9/16 in the control group showed exudative complications, whereas only 2/13 in the treatment group developed such changes (p < 0.03). Conclusion:

In this randomized pilot study, mild laser treatment of soft drusen maculopathy significantly reduced the rate of exudative complications in a longterm perspective. As the study is small, the results should be viewed with caution.

Keywords: age-related maculopathy; exudative complications; prophylactic laser treatment; soft drusen

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2003.00143.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Ophthalmology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

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Prophylactic laser treatment in early age-related maculopathy: an 8-year follow-up in a randomized pilot study shows a reduced incidence of exudative complications