Treatment of choroidal neovascularization in pathological myopia is still controversial.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 17 patients with severe myopia (>-6) and subfoveal choroidal neovascularization who underwent surgical removal of choroidal neovascularization, was performed. The patient population consisted of 2 groups: 9 patients younger than 50 years and 8 patients older than 50 years. All the patients underwent vitrectomy with surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.
Results: We reviewed the postoperative clinical and angiographic findings. In group I, visual acuity improved in 4 eyes (44%), remained unchanged in 4 eyes (44%) and decreased in one eye. In group II, none of the patients had visual improvement, visual acuity remained unchanged in 6 eyes (71%), and decreased in 2 eyes.
Conclusion: The visual outcomes in most patients in this series were better than their natural history. Surgical removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with severe myopia may provide visual benefit in young patients. A prospective, randomized clinical trial is necessary to determine the place of this surgical procedure.