The pathogenesis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is still controversial. More evidence of clinical and basic research is needed to distinguish PCV from an independent disease to a subtype of age-related macular degeneration. Not only that, there are also many puzzles in the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis of PCV. In addition to these common problems, we also face a large population with risk factors, a large number of PCV patients with multiple and complex challenges in China. There is a long way to go to reduce the damage effects of PCV on visual function. To fulfil this goal, we need make full use of the huge resources of PCV patients and turn these challenges into opportunities, and contribute the improvement of diagnosis and better understanding of PCV pathogenesis.
Peripapillary intrachoroidal cavitation (PICC) is a common pathological change observed in high myopia. The exact pathogenesis of PICC is still unclear. Expansion and mechanical stretching of the peripapillary sclera, breakage and defect in the retina near the border of the myopic conus and communication between intrachoroidal cavity and the vitreous space may be important segments during the development of PICC. Color fundus photography shows a localized and well-circumscribed peripapillary lesion with yellow-orange colour, often accompanied by fundus changes, such as myopic conus excavation, optic disc tilting and inferotemporal retinal vein bending at the transition from the PICC to the myopic conus. However, the PICC lesion is not easy to be recognized in the fundus photography. Fluorescein angiography shows early hypofluorescence and later progressively staining in the lesion. Indocyanine green angiography shows hypofluorescence throughout the examination. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is vital in diagnosing PICC. Hyporeflective cavities inside the choroid, sometimes communicating with the vitreous chamber, can be observed in OCT images. OCT angiography indicates lower vessel density or even absence of choriocapillary network inside or around PICC lesions.
Objective To investigate the characteristics of the ocular fundus of Chinese patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Methods The photographs of ocular fundus of 42 Chinese patients (48 eyes) with PCV diagnosed by fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were analyzed.Results In 48 eyes with PCV, 35 (72.9%) had subretinal hemorrhage, 13 (27.1%) had yellow-white exudation, 7 (14.6%) had subretinal tuberculum-like focus in tangerine peel at the posterior pole, and 26 (54.2%) had hemorrhagic or serous pigment epithelium detachment (PED). Thirty-six eyes（75.0%）had polypoidal dilations with branching vascular network, and the other 12 (25.0%) had scattered polypoidal dilations without identifiable continuous branching vascular network. The location for these lesions were at the macular region in 30 eyes (62.5%), arcade region in 6 (12.5%), peripapillary region in 3 (6.3%), and combination region in 9 (18.8%).Conclusions Most of the lesions in Chinese patients with PCV locate at the macular region and temporal vascular arcade. Most eyes are characterized by branching choroidal vessels with polyplike terminal aneurysmal dilations in ICGA. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：269-332)
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal ranibizumab injection in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsTwenty-four PCV patients (24 eyes) were enrolled in this retrospective case study.All patients were assessed by the examinations of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart, color fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT). The mean visual acuity was (33.41±19.43) letters; the mean macular retinal thickness was (343.63±88.60) μm. Patients received PDT first, and intravitreal injected ranibizumab 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) 72 hours later. Treatments were repeated as a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with or without PDT if the monthly follow-up indicated that it was necessary. The average follow-up period was 13.1 months. The average treatment times were analyzed for each eye. Systemic and ocular adverse events were observed. Visual acuity, macular retinal thickness and leakage of PCV before and after the treatment were analyzed. ResultsIntravitreal ranibizumab injections was repeated (2.8±1.6) times per eye on average, and intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with PDT was repeated (0.4±0.5) times per eye on average. No systemic and ocular adverse effects were found during and after combined therapy. In the last follow-up, the mean visual acuity of ETDRS was (44.21±17.24) letters, improved by 10.8 letters (t=-4.77, P<0.01).Visual acuity was improved in 11 eyes (45.8%) and stable in 13 eyes (54.2%). FFA and ICGA showed complete closed PCV in 17 eyes (70.8%), partial closed PCV in 7 eyes (29.2%). OCT image showed that the retinal edema was disappeared in 19 eyes (79.2%) and alleviated in 5 eyes (20.8%). The mean macular retinal thickness was (171.33±38.06) μm, which was 172.30 μm less than that of pre-treatment values (t=11.96, P<0.05). ConclusionPhotodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injections for PCV is safe and effective, with visual acuity improvement, reduction of retinal edema and PCV leakage.
The fundus appearance of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) often demonstrates orange-red nodular lesions. ICGA reveals terminal dilation of the polyps with or without branching vascular networks. Currently, pachychoroid spectrum disease is a series of conditions included choroidal vasodilatation and increased permeability due to choroidal ischemia, choroidal thickening, retinal pigment epitheliopathy, and secondary pigment epithelial detachment, choroidal neovascularization and polyps included uncomplicated pachychoroid, pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy, pachychoroid neovascularization, central serous chorioretinopathy, and PCV. These entities have the similar characteristics and prognosis, suggesting that they have the similar pathology. The recognition of PCV based on the pachychoroid spectrum disease can provide new ideas for the prevention and intervention of PCV.