In a controlled clinical trial, 160 eyes underwent "perifoveal" laser photocoagulation. All patients had age-related macular degeneration and subfoveal neovascularization (0.5 to 2.5 disc diameters), without detectable fibrous tissue, and visual acuity from 20/100 to 20/1000. At least 1 year of follow-up has been completed in 127 eyes. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 12 (20.3%) of 59 untreated eyes vs 28 (41.1%) of 68 treated eyes (P = .04). Reading visual acuity (J4) with the use of low-vision aids was retained in 28 untreated eyes (47.4%) vs 50 treated eyes (73.5%) (P less than .01). Automated static perimetry showed an increased scotomatous area and/or depth with eccentric fixation in all but four patients. A flat atrophic scar was achieved in 53 of 68 treated eyes. Statistical analysis indicated that perifoveal photocoagulation has been effective in the short-term preservation of visual acuity.