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Abstract

We would like to thank Drs Uzun and Pehlivan for their interest in our recent study, which demonstrates the different responses to intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab (IVR) therapy in 2 groups with treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), a subtype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The groups were classified according to the presence of single or multiple polyps. 1 Suzuki M. Nagai N. Shinoda H. et al. Distinct responsiveness to intravitreal ranibizumab therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with single or multiple polyps. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016; 166: 52-59 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar Although the baseline central retinal thickness (CRT) was almost the same between the groups, and both groups showed reduction in CRT after IVR, the single-polyp group showed significantly thinner CRT compared with the multiple-polyps group, 1 year after the initial IVR treatment. 1 Suzuki M. Nagai N. Shinoda H. et al. Distinct responsiveness to intravitreal ranibizumab therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with single or multiple polyps. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016; 166: 52-59 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar We proposed that classifying PCV based on the presence of single or multiple polyps may aid in the understanding of the prognosis. They mentioned that systemic and/or ocular parameters could be involved in the prognosis of CRT and central choroidal thickness (CCT). In fact, the risk factors for AMD involve systemic and/or ocular parameters, daily habits such as smoking, and genetic background 2 Wong C.W. Yanagi Y. Lee W.K. et al. Age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Asians. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2016; 53: 107-139 Crossref PubMed Scopus (237) Google Scholar , 3 Clemons T.E. Milton R.C. Klein R. Seddon J.M. Ferris 3rd, F.L. Risk factors for the incidence of advanced age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). AREDS report no. 19. Ophthalmology. 2005; 112: 533-539 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (508) Google Scholar ; thus, we agree that their point can be considered for further understanding of PCV pathogenesis. 1 Suzuki M. Nagai N. Shinoda H. et al. Distinct responsiveness to intravitreal ranibizumab therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with single or multiple polyps. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016; 166: 52-59 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar Because of the nature of the retrospective study, data for smoking and alcohol consumption, axial length of the globe, and systemic medications were not available in clinical records of all patients. However, systemic disorders were analyzed and the below data were obtained. Distinct Responsiveness to Intravitreal Ranibizumab Therapy in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy With Single or Multiple PolypsAmerican Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 169PreviewWe have read the article published in the Journal by Suzuki and associates: “Distinct responsiveness to intravitreal ranibizumab therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with single or multiple polyps.”1 In that paper, the prognosis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) has been investigated by taking the response of the patients to intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) monotherapy in the presence of a single or multiple polyps. The authors included 48 previously untreated eyes of 48 patients who received monthly IVR injections for 3 months, followed by pro re nata (PRN) injections. Full-Text PDF