ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in the treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to investigate the primary treatment tentatively. MethodsA systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Wanfang Data was performed to identify all comparative studies that compared the outcomes of PDT alone, intravitreal VEGF inhibitors alone and combined intravitreal VEGF inhibitors and photodynamic therapy. Outcomes of interest included the regression and recurrence rate of polypoidal lesions, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), therapeutic times, and the occurrence rate of adverse events. 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 19 non-RTCs were identified. According to treatment methods, the data extracted was classified to 3 groups, analyzed with odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95%confidence interval (95%CI). ResultsMeta-analysis suggests that the regression rate of polypoidal lesions (OR=0.34, 0.07; 95%CI=0.13-0.88, 0.02-0.36) and BCVA (WMD=0.25, 0.11; 95%CI=0.14-0.36, 0.01-0.21) in combined therapy group were significantly better than those in PDT group and intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate of polypoidal lesions in PDT group was significantly lower than intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group (OR=0.35, 95%CI=0.16-0.74, P=0.006). BCVA (P=0.025) and the occurrence rate of adverse events (OR=60.36, 95%CI=6.04-603.50, P=0.000 5) in intravitreal VEGF inhibitors group were significant better than PDT group. ConclusionsCombined treatment appeared to be superior to PDT alone or intravitreal VEGF inhibitors alone. Combined treatment takes priority over all others in the primary treatment of PCV.
ObjectiveTo observe the characteristics of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods17 patients (17 eyes) with PCV referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2014 to February 2015 were included in this cross-sectional study. There were 9 males (9 eyes) and 8 females (8 eyes), aged from 55 to 79 years, with the mean of (68.24±6.80) years. There were 10 right eyes and 7 left eyes. All patients were examined by fundus fluorescein angiography combined with ICGA, and OCTA was performed within 1 hour. ResultsICGA showed 5 eyes with branching vascular network (BVN), 7 eyes with polyps, only 1 eye with both BVN and polyps. 4 eyes showed no positive findings, 3 of them with large hemorrhage. 5 eyes with BVN shared the similar location and range of the lesions in ICGA and OCTA. 7 eyes with polyps showed hot spot in OCTA, 5 of them shared the similar lesions with ICGA, the other 2 eyes showed slightly different in ICGA and OCTA. 1 eye showed both BVN and polyps, OCTA and ICGA were consistent for this. In the 3 eyes with large hemorrhage, 2 of them showed hot spot below pigment epithelial detachment, 1 eye show no positive findings in both ICGA and OCTA. ConclusionsPCV patients with BVN shared similar findings in ICGA and OCTA, PCV patients with polyps showed highlight spot in OCTA. OCTA can visualize BNV and polyps of choroidal capillary, and it can showed the similar site and range of lesions in ICGA.
OCT angiography (OCTA) is a fast, noninvasive and quantifiable new technique, which is especially suitable for long-term follow-up in patients with hereditary retinochoroidal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, adult onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy, choroideremia and Stargardt disease. During the follow-up, clinicians can find the subtle signs that explain disease development from the blood flow imaging, quantitatively describe the vascular density, timely detect and treat choroidal neovascularization. It is significant to explore the etiology and monitor the course of these diseases. With the development of more treatments for these diseases, OCTA parameters can also be used as indicators to evaluate and compare different therapeutic effects. In the future, more quantitative indicators of OCTA will be applied to evaluate the course of hereditary retinochoroidal degeneration, and provide valuable basis for early diagnosis and treatment.