The proposed Foveal Photocoagulation Study is a multicenter study of treatment for age related macular degeneration (AMD) in eyes with subfoveal neovascular lesions. The study consists of two randomized controlled trials of laser photocoagulation treatment and a nutural history study of eyes ineligible for the trials. Eligible AMD patients who meet the visual acuity criteria for the randomized trials (20/80 VA 20/320) will be assigned to treatment or to no treatment for neovascular lesion. Natural history study patients will have AMD and a subfoveal neovascular lesion but visual acuity better than 20/80. The purpose of the randomized trials is to determine whether Krypton red laser photocoagulation is effective in preventing or delaying severe loss of vision in AMD patients who have subfoveal lesions, whether these are new neovascular lesions or recurrent neovascularization subfoveally following prior treatment for extrafoveal or juxtafoveal lesions. The purpose of the natural history study is to determine the rate at which visual acuity deteriorates to 20/80 or worse in eyes with AMD and subfoveal neovascular membranes after initial clinical presentation of patients who would otherwise be eligible for the randomized trials. This study will be carried out in twelve Clinical Centers, a Coordinating Center and a Fundus Photograph Reading Center; the study investigators and centers consist primarily of those who have collaborated in the Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) over the past six years.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Cooperative Clinical Research--Cooperative Agreements (U10)
Project #
5U10EY006237-05
Application #
3559173
Study Section
Vision Research and Training Committee (VSN)
Project Start
1985-09-30
Project End
1993-12-31
Budget Start
1990-01-01
Budget End
1990-12-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
St. Joseph Hospital (Houston)
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77002