Characteristics Of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Research Articles

IMAGING AND CLINICAL FEATURES OF PULSATILE POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY.

To investigate the imaging and clinical features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with pulsation. The PCV eyes were classified into pulsatile and nonpulsatile PCV groups according to the pulsation on indocyanine green angiography. Imaging features including the dye filling time of the polyp and clinical features were compared. A total of 75 eyes were classified into the pulsatile PCV (30 eyes) and the nonpulsatile PCV (45 eyes) groups. The initial filling time and complete filling time of the polyp of the pulsatile PCV group (2.59 ± 0.93 and 8.33 ± 3.42 seconds) were shorter than those of the nonpulsatile PCV group (4.11 ± 1.87 and 10.63 ± 3.81 seconds, P < 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). The pigment epithelial detachment height of the pulsatile PCV group (414.90 ± 377.15 µ m) was greater than that of the nonpulsatile PCV group (247.81 ± 164.07 µ m, P = 0.030). The pulsatile PCV group showed a higher prevalence of subretinal hemorrhage (43.33%) after intravitreal injection than the nonpulsatile PCV group (13.95%, P = 0.005) during 12 months. The mean number of injections during 12 months of the pulsatile PCV group (5.48 ± 1.46) was greater than that of the nonpulsatile PCV group (4.09 ± 1.21, P < 0.001). Eyes with pulsatile PCV showed shorter filling time of the polyp, greater pigment epithelial detachment height, higher prevalence of subretinal hemorrhage, and more intravitreal injection numbers during 12 months. These might suggest that PCV has distinct imaging and clinical features according to the polyp pulsation.

Advances in multi-modal non-invasive imaging techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a disease characterized by subretinal pigment epithelium (RPE) orange-red polypoidal lesions and abnormal branching neovascular networks (BNNs). In recent years, various non-invasive imaging technologies have rapidly developed, especially the emergence of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), multi-spectral imaging, and other technologies, which enable the observation of more features of PCV. In addition, these technologies are faster and less invasive compared to indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Multi-modal imaging, which combined multiple imaging techniques, provides important references for the diagnosis and treatment of PCV with the assistance of regression models, deep learning, and other algorithms. In this study, we reviewed the non-invasive imaging techniques, multi-modal imaging diagnosis, and multi-scene therapeutic applications of PCV, with the aim of providing a reference for non-invasive multi-modal diagnosis and treatment of PCV.

A rare case of macular telangiectasia type 2 associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) was first described as subretinal polypoidal vascular lesions associated with serous and hemorrhagic pigment epithelial detachments. Macular telangiectasia (Mac Tel) refers to a heterogenous group of disease entities presenting with incompetence, ectasia, and/or irregular dilatations of the juxtafoveal capillary network of one or both the eyes. Here, we report a rare case presenting with features of PCV and Mac Tel-2 simultaneously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case to show this rare clinical association. This may point toward an unifying underlying pathophysiologic mechanism, especially in patients with Mac Tel and thick choroid.

Characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in the Malaysian population

Introduction: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a distinct clinical entity, characterized by focal hyperfluorescence in the early phase of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), with or without its associated branching vascular network (BVN).Purpose: To report the angiographic characteristics of PCV on ICGA in presumed PCV patients.Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.Materials and methods: This study involved 36 suspected PCV patients who attended the Ophthalmology Clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre from June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including colour fundus photography, ICGA, and fundus fluorescein angiography. ICGA images of confirmed PCV patients were analysed.Results: Twenty-five out of 36 eyes (69.4%) were diagnosed to have PCV based on ICGA. Mean age of confirmed PCV patients was 66.4 ± 8.42 years, with predominance of males (n = 17) and Chinese ethnicity (n = 19). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was between 6/6 and 6/18 in 64%. All 25 patients had unilateral disease. Average size of PCV lesions was 1461.4 ± 864.4 μm. The lesions were mostly concentrated in the extrafoveal region (n = 15, 60%). Lesion formation was cluster in 56% (n = 14), single in 32% (n = 8), string in 4% (n = 1), and combination in 8% (n = 2). The majority involved a single discrete area. Polyp pulsation was detected in six eyes, while seven eyes revealed nodular hyperfluorescence when viewed stereoscopically. BVN was evident in 56% (n = 14). Fifteen eyes demonstrated the hypofluorescent halo, while no hyperfluorescent ring was seen in this study population. Late geographical hyperfluorescence (LGH) was noted in seven eyes (28%). There was no significant association between the morphological characteristics of PCV, i.e., size of lesion, location, formation, discrete area involved, and LGH with BCVA.Conclusion: The demographic, clinical, and angiographic features observed in this study were in agreement with other previously published Asian studies. However, we found no association between the morphological characteristics of PCV with BCVA.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Caucasians: Morphological Findings from Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Purpose: The aim of the study was to characterize the morphological features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a large Caucasian population. Methods: We conducteda multicenter, cross-sectional study of treatment-naïve patients with PCV. Baseline fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were assessed by trained medical graders. Typical PCV features were explored, and retinal thickness (RT) and choroidal thickness (CT) measurements were performed. Results: Seventy-nine eyes of 73 patients (mean age, 72.6 ± 11.9 years) were included. ICGA identified macular polyps in 89.9% of cases. SD-OCT revealed mostly subretinal fluid (93.6%) and a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment in 91.4%, with sharp protrusion in 67.0% of cases. Polyp-like structures were seen in 74.3% of cases, mostly adherent to an elevated RPE (69.6%). Type 1 neovascularization (NV) was identified in 74.7% of patients, while 16.5% had a mixed NV. The mean macular CT was 220.9 ± 83.2 μm (range, 67.9–403.6). Diffuse and focal pachychoroid were observed in 26.6 and 30.4% of patients, respectively. Soft drusen were reported in 62.0% of cases, but retinal hemorrhage occurred in only 19.0% of cases. Conclusion: The morphological features of PCV in Caucasians are similar to those reported in Asians. Pachychoroid signs were found in nearly half of our cohort. However, the mean age at presentation, high prevalence of soft drusen, and low prevalence of large subretinal hemorrhages make PCV closer to age-related macular degeneration in this ethnic group.

POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY FEATURES VARY ACCORDING TO SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL THICKNESS.

To evaluate associations between choroidal thickness and features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) lesions based on multimodal imaging. This cross-sectional analysis included treatment-naive PCV eyes from a prospectively recruited observational cohort. Associations between of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and qualitative and quantitative morphologic features of PCV lesions on color fundus photographs, indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were evaluated. We included 100 eyes with indocyanine green angiography-proven PCV. Subfoveal choroidal thickness showed a bimodal distribution with peaks at 170 µm and 350 µm. There was a significant linear increase in the total lesion area (P-trend = 0.028) and the polypoidal lesion area (P-trend = 0.030 and P-continuous = 0.037) with increasing SFCT. Pairwise comparisons between quartiles showed that the total lesion area (4.20 ± 2.61 vs. 2.89 ± 1.43 mm2, P = 0.024) and the polypoidal lesion area (1.03 ± 1.01 vs. 0.59 ± 0.45 mm2, P = 0.042) are significantly larger in eyes in Q4 (SFCT ≥ 350 μm) than eyes in Q1 (SFCT ≤ 170 μm). Although there was no significant linear trend relating SFCT to best-corrected visual acuity, pairwise comparisons showed that eyes in Q4 (SFCT ≥ 350 μm) have significantly worse vision (0.85 ± 0.63 vs. 0.55 ± 0.27 logMAR, P = 0.030) than eyes in Q2 (SFCT 170-260 μm). Total lesion areas and polypoidal lesion areas tend to be larger in eyes with increasing SFCT. Choroidal background may influence the phenotype or progression pattern of PCV.

Prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Indian population: Risk factors, clinical and imaging characteristics.

AimTo assess prevalence, clinical presentation and multimodal imaging characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a hospital-based setting in South India.MethodsElectronic medical records (EMR) of new patients presenting with suspected clinical signs of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a tertiary hospital from January to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed using keywords and filtered for patient who underwent multimodal imaging. Clinical presentations were categorized into predominantly hemorrhagic, exudative or mixed pattern. The imaging features were compared in these clinical groups. The multimodal images were graded by two masked graders and discrepancies between them were settled by a senior arbitrator.ResultsOf the 147 clinically suspicious cases of PCV out of 785 patients with clinical presentation of AMD as recorded in the EMR, 73 (49.7%) patients had a multimodal imaging diagnosis of PCV. There was no difference in the demography, distribution of polyps, ICGA and OCT characteristics in eyes presenting with hemorrhagic, exudative or mixed clinical features.ConclusionApproximately half of South Asian patients presenting with clinical features of neovascular AMD harbor PCV irrespective of their clinical presentation and so we recommend that multimodal imaging is done in all cases of suspicious neovascular AMD in Indian population.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Congolese Patients.

Purpose Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a visually debilitating disease that mostly affects people of African and Asian heritage. Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is the recommended exploratory method for definitive diagnosis. The disease has been extensively described in Asians and Caucasians, but not in Africans. This study was conducted to document the clinical presentation and optical coherence tomography features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Congolese patients. Methods A prospective case series of patients with PCV was performed between January 2017 and June 2019. Routine ocular examination was performed including best corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp examination, dilated direct fundoscopy, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The diagnosis was based on a combination of clinical and OCT signs. Results Fourteen patients were diagnosed with PCV during this period. The average age was 64.7 ± 6.9 years. There were 8 females. Ten (71.4%) patients had systemic hypertension. Most patients (n = 9, 64.3%) had bilateral involvement. Blurred vision was the most common complaint (71.4%). The main clinical presentation was subretinal exudates, seen in 19 (82.6%) eyes of 11 (78.6%) patients and subretinal hemorrhage in 10 (43.5%) eyes. Macular localization was found in 16 eyes (69.5%) of 12 (85.7%) patients. Drusen were observed in 35.7% of the patients. On OCT imaging, thumb-like pigment epithelial detachment and subretinal exudation were the most frequent features, observed in 92.9% and 71.4% of the patients, respectively. Conclusions PCV in Congolese patients showed features that are more similar to those observed in Caucasians. In this setting where indocyanine green angiography is not available, OCT facilitates the diagnosis of PCV.

Clinical Characteristics of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment Response in Caucasians

Background/Aims: To identify the clinical characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Caucasian patients and assess the prevalence of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) resistance. Methods: This involved a retrospective chart review of Caucasian patients diagnosed with PCV and utilizing indocyanine green angiography with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Data collected included patients’ demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment response. Results: There were 54 eyes of 49 patients with PCV; 51.0% were male and 49.0% were female with a mean age of 72.9 years. Forty-four patients (89.8%) had PCV unilaterally and 10.2% (5 patients) had PCV bilaterally. PCV was located in the macula in 79.6%, in the peripapillary region in 16.7%, and in both regions in 3.7%. PCV commonly presents with serous detachment (66.7%), retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED) (51.9%) and subretinal hemorrhage (37.0%). Twenty-nine eyes were included in the treatment response analysis, with 18 eyes (62.1%) showing persistent disease activity after 3 initial injections of anti-VEGF treatment. Conclusion: PCV in Caucasian patients is more often unilateral and presents more commonly in the macular region than the peripapillary region. Serous detachment and RPED are the 2 most common findings. Resistance to current anti-VEGF treatment was noted frequently; it is thus extremely important to identify this subtype of type I subretinal neovascularization.

Age-Related Scattered Hypofluorescent Spots on Late-Phase Indocyanine Green Angiography as Precursor Lesions of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

Age-related scattered hypofluorescent spots on late-phase indocyanine green angiography (ASHS-LIA) might represent lipid accumulation in Bruch's membrane in the form of basal linear deposits (BlinD). The present study was conducted to describe the clinical characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) associated with ASHS-LIA. Consecutive patients with treatment-naïve PCV who underwent color fundus photography (FP), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from June 2016 through May 2018, were reviewed. ASHS-LIA and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH) were evaluated by ICGA. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was assessed by SD-OCT. A total of 187 patients were eligible for inclusion in this study (mean, 63.2 ± 7.6 years; range, 41-85 years). Of these patients, 117 (62.6%) showed ASHS-LIA, 57 (30.5%) had bilateral lesions and 70 (37.4%) showed CVH. Moreover, compared with patients without ASHS-LIA, PCV patients with ASHS-LIA were older (P = 0.001), more frequently had bilateral lesions (P = 0.001), and less frequently showed CVH (P = 0.006). SFCT in eyes with ASHS-LIA was significantly greater than that in eyes without ASHS-LIA after adjusting for age, sex, and CVH (P = 0.026). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in best-corrected visual acuity or lesion characteristics between the two groups. ASHS-LIA, which is very common in PCV patients, might be involved in the pathogenesis of PCV. PCV with ASHS-LIA was more frequently associated with bilateral involvement, less CVH, and a thicker choroid than PCV without ASHS-LIA.

EVEREST study report 4: Fluorescein angiography features predictive of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

ImportanceIt is important to identify features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) that differentiate it from typical neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) on various imaging modalities, including fluorescein angiography (FA).BackgroundPCV was thought to be indistinguishable from nAMD using FA alone. In real‐world practice, indocyanine‐green angiography may often be unavailable or contraindicated.DesignAnalysis of FA images from a prospective, multicentre study.ParticipantsStudy images of both PCV and nAMD patients from the EVEREST study.MethodsFA features at baseline were independently graded by masked graders (fellowship‐trained ophthalmologists) using standardized diagnostic algorithms.Main Outcome MeasuresPredictive indicators (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) for PCV.ResultsOf the 95 patients screened, 61 had PCV. Of the 34 screening failures, 15 were diagnosed as nAMD. Hyperfluorescent nodules on FA were observed in 80% of patients with PCV vs 20% with nAMD (P < 0.001). Blocked fluorescence on FA, which corresponded to the presence of subretinal haemorrhage, occurred more frequently among patients with PCV vs nAMD (61.7% vs 13.3%, P = 0.001). Similarly, the leakage characteristic of occult choroidal neovascularization occurred more frequently among patients with PCV vs nAMD (95.0% vs 73.3%, P = 0.026). The positive predictive value for PCV was 94.1% for hyperfluorescent nodules, 94.9% for blocked fluorescence, 83.8% for occult choroidal neovascularization and 82.0% for pigment epithelial detachment.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study demonstrated that certain FA features can be predictive of PCV and may be considered as an indication for retina specialists to perform indocyanine green angiography as confirmatory test.

Characteristics of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Evaluated by Multispectral Imaging.

To analyze the morphological and pathological characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) on multispectral imaging (MSI). This prospective study included patients with a clinical diagnosis of treatment-naive PCV. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination including fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and MSI. MSI was obtained by digital multispectral ophthalmoscope, which allows the visualization of retinal and choroidal structures progressively. The characteristics of PCV on MSI were analyzed and compared with ICGA. Sixteen eyes of 14 patients (mean age 60.9 years ± 9.2 years; 11 male and three female) were included for analysis. Polypoidal lesions were detected in 15 eyes (93.8%) by MSI with nodular or nebulous hyperreflectance on choroidal oxy-deoxy map. MSI was able to reveal all the branching vascular networks (BVNs) detected by ICGA. Retinal pigment epithelial atrophy with melanin stacking was found with MSI infrared wavelengths around pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and in areas above the BVNs in 13 eyes (81.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of MSI were 93.8% and 100%, respectively, for identifying typical PCV with both BVN and polypoidal lesions. MSI appears to be a promising modality for detecting noninvasively the vascular and structural changes in PCV, especially for BVN. MSI may also be used to monitor the metabolic and functional changes of retinal pigment epithelium secondary to polypoidal lesions. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e249-e255.].

Characteristics of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in OCT Angiography in Latin American Patients.

To describe the imaging characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and demonstrate its use as diagnostic method for this pathology in a Latin American population. A case series. Fourteen eyes were evaluated. At baseline, the most frequent morphology was the "oval" type (76.9%), obtaining a reduction of 53.8% after treatment. The intrinsic finding of the polyps was hyporeflective content prior to treatment (80.8%), which reduced after treatment (7.7%) (P = .016). OCTA is a useful imaging tool for detecting findings that can guide the diagnosis of PCV without contrast medium. Likewise, it provides signs that can suggest the behavior of the lesion prior to and after treatment, enriching the understanding of the pathology and therefore aiming to an efficient therapy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in a Latin American population. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:748-756.].

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in a General Japanese Population: The Hisayama Study

ABSTRACTPurpose: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a general Japanese population. Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007 with subjects from the Hisayama Study. Of the 3,648 residents in Hisayama, Japan, 2,663 who were ≥ 50 years old were enrolled in this study. The characteristics of PCV were determined by fundus examination or based on indocyanine green and fluorescein angiographic findings. We evaluated the contributions of the risk factors for PCV. Results: Among the 207 participants with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 174 (6.5%) had early AMD, and 33 (1.2%) had late AMD, including 10 participants with PCV (0.4%). Male and smoking habit were significant risk factors for the development of PCV. Conclusions: The prevalence of PCV is higher among Japanese subjects than Caucasians in Western countries. Male gender and smoking habit were significant risk factors for PCV in a general Japanese population.

EVEREST Report 5: Clinical Outcomes and Treatment Response of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Subtypes in a Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.

The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) subtypes among patients from a multicenter randomized controlled trial and to determine the impact of PCV subtypes on clinical outcomes. This was a prospective cohort study of 61 patients with macular PCV from the EVEREST study. Indocyanine green (ICGA) and fluorescein angiography (FA) obtained using standardized imaging protocols were graded to classify PCV into three subtypes. Type A PCV had polyps with interconnecting channels, type B had polyps with branching vascular networks, but no significant leakage on FA, and type C had polyps with branching vascular networks and leakage on FA. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and proportion of patients with BCVA ≥ 20/40 were compared among the three PCV subtypes. Of the 61 patients, 54 were gradable for PCV subtype. Among these, 8 had type A PCV (14.8%), 27 had type B (50%), and 19 had type C (35.2%). At baseline, BCVA was 67.1 letters for type A, 58.7 for type B, and 43.5 for type C (P < 0.001). At 6 months, BCVA was highest among patients with type A compared with types B and C (80.1 letters versus 67.2 versus 50.4, respectively; P < 0.001). Type A PCV gained 13 letters compared with 8.5 (type B) and 6.9 (type C). BCVA ≥ 20/40 was highest for type A compared with types B and C (100% vs. 51.9% vs. 10.5%; P < 0.001). On performing ANCOVA, PCV subtype and baseline BCVA significantly affected final BCVA. The visual outcome following treatment varies with PCV subtype classification. The distinction in clinical outcomes between the PCV subtypes is observed in the initial months following the start of treatment.

OCT vs. Indocyanine Green Angiography Features of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

OCT vs. Indocyanine Green Angiography Features of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

The article presents literature review devoted to the issue of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. The studies of Russian and foreign researchers were reviewed. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, diagnostic features and modern treatment methods, the results of clinical studies are presented. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is a subtype of neoascular AMD with specific characteristics including predisposition of certain races, clinical features, serosanguineous complications of different severity, tendency to relapsing course of neovascularization and development of secondary serosanguineous exfoliation. It was registered most frequently in patients aged 50 to 65 years. Prevalence among Caucasians is 4 to 9.8%, and among Asians - 23.9 to 54.7%. Diagnosis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy requires the use of fluorescent angiography, indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography. Polyps regression accordng to angiography is considered one of the aims of initial therapy of active polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. According to Expert group of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, while using laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy, affecting both polyps and vasculature is required. As a result of the analysis of population studies, the results of treatment with laser coagulation, photodynamic therapy (independently and in combination with angiogenesis inhibitors) and monotherapy with angiogenesis inhibitors were demonstrated. Regardless of the achieved results of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy diagnosis, the treatment issues require further investigation. Additional studies are required to evaluate long-term correlation between initial polyp regression, relapses, response to repeated therapy and functional results.

Sonderformen choroidaler Neovaskularisationsmembranen

Choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in the context of exsudative age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) can be divided into type 1 (occult) and type 2 (classical) membranes. Retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are "rare subtypes" of chorioretinal neovascularisation and are distinguished by their distinct morphology and the sometimes worse response to therapy. Chorioretinal anastomosis, severe exsudates with serosanguinous pigment epithelial detachment and, in PCV, orange-red lesions in the papillomacular bundle can be diagnostic. Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of PCV and delivers important information for RAP too. Typical characteristics of PCV include foci of hyperfluoresence, with pulsatile filling in the early phase. This characterises choroidal polypoidal lesions, often in connection with an abnormal choroidal vascular network. In RAP, typical retino-retinal anastomosis can be identified, in particular in areas with pigment epithelial detachment. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can complement diagnostic testing. In cases of RAP, early therapy initiation with intravitreal anti-VEGF is crucial for the prognosis of visual acuity. PCV can exhibit spontaneous regression. In active disease, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is efficient in the closure of PCV polyps. In association with CNV, it makes sense to combine PDT and intravitreal anti-VEGF medication. In spite of the initial increase in visual acuity, this state is normally "only" stabilised in the long term. In patients with idiopathic secondary CNV membranes (high myopia, post-inflammatory, post-traumatic changes or in hereditary connective tissue diseases), small "classical" type 2 membranes are mostly involved. Hence, these are strictly speaking not directly rare subtypes. Nevertheless, these patients are mostly younger, with less protracted illness and limited available regeneration ability of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE): they may therefore differ favourably from the courses with nAMD, with earlier inactivation and with fewer required anti-VEGF injections. CNV with angioid streaks are a special case in this group. Unfortunately, these lesions have a recurrent, protracted and, in the end, mostly frustrating course.

Characteristics of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

The purpose of this study was to compare the angiographic findings of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) detected by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and en face optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The study design was a retrospective chart review of 20 eyes with a clinical diagnosis of treatment-naive PCV, seen at Nagoya City University Hospital between December 2014 and January 2016. Indocyanine green angiography was performed with Heidelberg Retina Angiography 2 and OCTA was performed by using Avanti RTVue XR. Twenty eyes of 20 patients (18 male, 2 female) were studied. Average age was 71.9 years. Manual segmentation was required to detect the pathologic lesions of PCV in all cases. The polypoidal lesions were detected in 20 eyes (100%) by ICGA, and in 17 eyes (85%) by OCTA. The number of polypoidal lesions detected by OCTA averaged 2.6 ± 1.9, with an average of 2.0 ± 1.1 by ICGA (P < 0.05). The branching vascular network (BVN) was detected in 14 eyes (70%) by ICGA and in 14 eyes (70%) by OCTA. All of the BVNs detected by OCTA were located between the RPE and Bruch's membrane. Despite the manual segmentation required, en face OCTA enabled us to analyze the angiographic features of PCV combined with longitudinal image (B-scan). En face OCTA may be useful for understanding the pathogenesis of PCV and managing PCV.

Optical coherence tomography angiography characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

PurposeTo analyse the morphological characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).MethodsProspective study with consecutive patients affected with PCV were included. All patients underwent a complete...