Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Gain of 15 letters or more visual acuity at one year	3		Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
2 Gain of 15 letters or more visual acuity at two years	3	1322	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	5.77 [3.38, 9.84]
3 Loss of fewer than 15 letters visual acuity at one year	3	1322	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	1.53 [1.41, 1.64]
4 Loss of fewer than 15 letters visual acuity at two years	3	1322	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	1.62 [1.32, 1.98]
5 Loss of fewer than 30 letters visual acuity at one year	2	1138	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	1.15 [1.11, 1.20]
6 Loss of fewer than 30 letters visual acuity at two years	2	1138	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	1.22 [1.15, 1.29]
7 Visual acuity better than 20/200 at one year	3	1322	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	1.69 [1.41, 2.03]
8 Visual acuity better than 20/200 at two years	3	1322	Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	1.73 [1.52, 1.98]
9 Maintenance of visual acuity at one year	1		Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
10 Maintenance of visual acuity at two years	1		Risk Ratio (M-H, Random, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
11 Mean change in visual acuity at one year (number of letters)	3	1322	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	17.80 [15.95, 19.65]
12 Mean change in visual acuity at two years (number of letters)	3	1322	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	20.11 [18.08, 22.15]
13 Reduction in size of lesion at one year (Mean number of disc areas)	2	606	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	2.34 [1.88, 2.81]
14 Reduction in size of lesion at two years (Mean number of disc areas)	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
15 Mean change in quality of life scores at one year	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
15.1 Overall vision-related quality of life	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	6.69 [3.38, 9.99]
15.2 Near vision activities	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	8.45 [0.28, 16.62]
15.3 Distance vision activities	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	9.65 [3.20, 16.09]
15.4 Dependency	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	9.82 [6.86, 12.77]
15.5 Driving ability	2	1080	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	9.85 [6.34, 13.36]
15.6 General health	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	3.18 [0.54, 5.82]
15.7 Role difficulties	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	6.99 [0.76, 13.23]
15.8 Mental health	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	8.42 [5.75, 11.10]
15.9 General vision	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	8.20 [5.90, 10.50]
15.10 Social functioning	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	8.03 [5.36, 10.69]
15.11 Color vision	2	1127	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	2.51 [−0.02, 5.05]
15.12 Peripheral vision	2	1133	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	5.20 [0.37, 10.03]
15.13 Ocular pain	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	−1.78 [−3.67, 0.11]
16 Mean change in quality of life scores at two years	2		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
16.1 Overall vision-related quality of life	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	8.63 [3.31, 13.95]
16.2 Near vision activities	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	11.52 [3.49, 19.55]
16.3 Distance vision activities	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	10.86 [3.82, 17.90]
16.4 Dependency	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	11.06 [3.29, 18.83]
16.5 Driving ability	2	1080	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	13.53 [9.51, 17.55]
16.6 General health	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	2.58 [−0.18, 5.35]
16.7 Role difficulties	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	9.44 [1.34, 17.54]
16.8 Mental health	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	10.07 [3.98, 16.17]
16.9 General vision	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	9.61 [5.49, 13.72]
16.10 Social functioning	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	8.12 [1.77, 14.47]
16.11 Color vision	2	1127	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	5.70 [2.89, 8.51]
16.12 Peripheral vision	2	1133	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	6.79 [1.48, 12.09]
16.13 Ocular pain	2	1134	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	−1.10 [−3.13, 0.92]