Clinicopathologic studies of treated choroidal neovascular membranes. A review and report of two cases.

The previously reported and two additional clinicopathologic studies of treated choroidal neovascular membranes were reviewed. Laser photocoagulation can obliterate choroidal neovascular membranes, but persistent and recurrent neovascularization contiguous with the treated area or the development of a new area of neovascularization contiguous or not contiguous with the treated area was seen histopathologically in nine of 12 (75%) lesions of 10 eyes. The scar that ensues after photocoagulation resembles the naturally occurring scar associated with choroidal neovascularization. Portions of the scar are comprised of hyperplastic retinal pigment epithelium. The inner retinal layers are more likely to be preserved after krypton red photocoagulation. Full-thickness destruction of the retina occurs with argon blue-green and argon green photocoagulation at levels of energy in which the end point is a uniform, white lesion.