Surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes in age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To assess the efficacy of surgical excision of subtbveal choroidal ueovascular membranes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) Methods Retrospective review of 64 consecutive patients (64 eyes) undergoing surgical removal of ARMD-related subibveal neovascular membranes, with at least three months follow-up Inclusion criteria included pre-operativc acuity of 20/100 or less, and a subfoveal membrane with or without subretinal hemorrhage The surgical method included detachment of the posterior hyaloid, small retinoiomy, subretinal TPA, perfluoro-n-octane. and air-fluid exchange Results Pre-operative acuity ranged from 20/1OÜ to 1/200. with a mean of 20/400 Average follow-up was 17 months (range, 3 to 45 months) The best acuity achieved post-operatively ranged from 20/20 to hand motions, with a mean of 20'200 Final acuity ranged from 20/50 to light perception, with a mean of 20/400 Final acuity was improved 2 or more lines in 24 eyes (37 5°0) (mean 5 lines), stable in 17 eyes (26 6%), and 2 or more lines worse in 23 eyes (35 9%) (mean 5 lines) Conclusions Following surgical excision of ARMD-related subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes, vision improved or stabilized in the majority of patients Further evaluation of this procedure should be accomplished via completion of a multi-center randomized clinical trial.