Macular Photocoagulation Study

The Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) is a multicenter clinical trial that evaluates argon laser photocoagulation for eyes with choroidal neovascular membranes. The question to be answered is, does coagulating a leaking vessel outside the fovea prevent significant loss of visual acuity. The study is being funded by the National Eye Institute. Patients with suitable macular lesions can be enrolled in the study if they have macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis, or idiopathic choroidal neovascularization. The eligibility criteria for the MPS are as follows: (1) ophthalmoscopic evidence of macular degeneration, histoplasmosis, or idiopathic choroidal neovascularization; (2) angiographic evidence of choroidal neovascularization outside the fovea; (3) visual acuity of 20/100 or better in the eye to be entered; and (4) willingness of the patient to have the eye randomly assigned to argon laser photocoagulation or to no treatment. Patients who agree to participate will be randomly assigned to argon laser photocoagulation or to