LONG-TERM RESULTS OF LASER TREATMENT IN THE OCULAR HISTOPLASMOSIS SYNDROME

Objective: To determine the long-term visual outcome, rate of persistent choroidal neovascularization, and rate of recurrent choroidal neovascularization in eyes undergoing laser photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. Design and Patients: One hundred one eyes with 5 to 16 years of follow-up that presented with choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular histoplasmosis were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were grouped according to location of choroidal neovascularization and assignment to observation or laser photocoagulation. Main Outcome Measures: Visual acuity outcome and loss for all groups were compared. The rates of persistent and recurrent choroidal neovascularization for the treated eyes were also evaluated. Result: Visual acuity of 20/40 or better was obtained in 71% of eyes with treated extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization and 68% with treated juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization. Recurrent choroidal neovascularization was observed in 23% of treated eyes during a mean follow-up of 9.6 years. Conclusion: Results support the long-term benefit of photocoagulation and need for careful follow-up.