レーザー治療後の加齢黄斑変性症の再発

Recurrence of age-related macular degeneration following laser photocoagulation

　脈絡膜新生血管を伴う加齢黄斑変性症34例35眼での，レーザー光凝固後の経過を検索した。3か月以上経過の時点で，脈絡膜新生血管の瘢痕化が10眼にあり，大出血が5眼にあった。20眼では，再発が疑われて2回以上の凝固が行われ，19眼で瘢痕化が得られた。新生血管の遺残または再発があった20眼中16眼では，光凝固後6週以内に行つた螢光眼底造影でこれが発見された。光凝固治療を行った本症では，螢光眼底造影を含む経過観察が必要である

We reviewed 35 eyes in 34 patients of age-related macular degeneration treated by laser photocoagula-tion. At 3 months or more, choroidal neovascularization had turned into scar in 10 eyes. Massive hemorrhage had developed in 5 eyes. The choroidal neovascularization recurred in 20 eyes, necessitating additional laser treatments. Ultimate cure was obtained in 19 of the 20 eyes. Persistence or recurrence of neovascularization was detected in 16 of the 20 eyes by fluorescein angiography performed within 6 weeks of treatment. The findings show the need of close follow-up including fluorescein angiography in the management of this disease.