ObjectiveTo observe the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image characteristics of polypoid choroidal vascular disease (PCV) after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, and to discuss its significance in the diagnosis and follow-up of PCV.MethodsA retrospective case study. From August 2018 to January 2020, 22 eyes of 22 patients with PCV diagnosed in the ophthalmological examination of Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University were included in the study. Among them, there were 10 males with 10 eyes and 12 females with 12 eyes; the average age was 67.75±9.53 years. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), OCTA, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed. All the affected eyes were injected vitreously with 10 mg/ml Conbercept 0.05 ml (including Conbercept 0.5 mg) once a month for 3 consecutive months.Tthe macular area of 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm with an OCTA instrument was scanned, and the foveal retinal thickness (CRT) was measured, the area of abnormal branch blood vessels (BVN). pigment epithelial detachment before and 12 months after treatment (PED) height, foveal choroid thickness (SFCT) were performed. The diagnosis rate of PCV by OCTA was observed, as well as the changes of various indicators of BCVA and OCTA. Before and after treatment, BCVA and CRT were compared by paired t test; BVN area, PED height, and SFCT were compared by variance analysis. The changes in imaging characteristics of OCTA before and after treatment were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 22 eyes, 8 eyes were BVN; 5 eyes were polypoid lesions (polyps); 5 eyes were BVN combined with polyps; 3 eyes were not found with BVN and polyps; 1 eye with small vascular network structure, this eye was ICGA Appears as strong nodular fluorescence (polyps). The detection rate of PCV by OCTA was 86.36% (19/22). Twelve months after treatment, BVN was significantly reduced or disappeared in 16 eyes (72.72%, 16/22); polyps disappeared in 17 eyes (77.27%, 17/22). Compared with before treatment, 12 months after treatment, BCVA increased (t=3.071), CRT decreased (t=2.440), the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05); the average BVN area, PED height, and SFCT decreased. The difference in average BVN area and PED height was statistically significant (F=2.805, 3.916; P＜0.05), and the difference in SFCT was not statistically significant (F=0.047, P＞0.05).ConclusionsThe detection rate of PCV by OCTA is 86.36%. After PCV anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug treatment, BVN area decrease and polyps subside. OCTA is an effective means for PCV diagnosis and follow-up after anti-VEGF drug treatment.
Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a fundus disease characterized by choroidal anomalous branch vascular network and terminal polypoidal dilatation. According to its fundus feature, lesion location, imaging feature and disease progression, PCV can be divided into different types or stages. It can be divided into hemorrhage and exudation PCV according to the fundus features, into macular, peripapillary, periphery and mixed types according to the lesion locations. It can also be divided into type 1 and 2 according to the ICGA (indocyanine green angiography) manifestations, and can be classified as early stage and late stage according to disease progression. There were different correlations between different types of PCV and some risk genetic loci, such as ARMS2 (age-related macular degeneration factor 2)/ HTRA1 (high temperature essential protein A1) , C2, complement factor B, complement factor H, and elastin genes. The response to therapy and prognosis are also different between different types. It is important to further study the clinical classification of PCV, to explore the genetic characteristics, influencing factors and treatment or prognosis features of different types of PCV. The results will improve the differential diagnosis of PCV, and the effectiveness of individualized treatment.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new and non-invasive imaging technique that is able to detect blood flow signal in the retina and the choroid within seconds. OCTA is different from the traditional angiography methods. The major advantages of OCTA are that it can observe blood flow signal in different layers of the retina and the choroid without injecting any dye, provide blood flow information that traditional angiography cannot provide, and enrich pathophysiological knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases., which help us to make an accurate diagnosis and efficient evaluation of these diseases. However there is a large upgrade potential either on OCTA technique itself or on clinical application of OCTA. We need to fully understand the advantage and disadvantage, and differences of OCTA and traditional angiography. We also need to know how to interpret the result of OCTA. With that we could make a fast diagnosis in a non-invasive way and improve our knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases.
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 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.
Choroidal nevus is one of the most common benign melanocytic tumor. The prevalence rate of choroidal nevi is 0.15% - 10.00%, which is high among whites and low among colored people, and is obvious higher in male than that in female. Secondary changes in the surrounding retina of the benign tumor, such as subretinal fluid and choroidal neovascularization, may result in vision loss. This benign tumor carries risks for transformation into malignant melanoma. The factors predictive of transformation into melanoma included greater thickness, subretinal fluid, visual symptoms, orange lipofuscin pigment, tumor location (tumor margin near optic disc), ultrasonography hollowness and absence of halo. Early identification of the related features which impair visual acuity is important for early treatment and better prognosis, and it is especially important to monitor the tendency of malignant transformation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could provide detailed information which aid in diagnosing, differentiating and monitoring of choroidal nevi. OCT and optical coherence tomography angiography are emerging as excellent techniques to investigate choroidal melanocytic lesions. The treatment modalities, such as laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelium growth factor, have been proved to be effective for choroidal nevi with secondary changes. In the future, the relevant researches should be imposed to provide more detailed information in order to explore the nature and characteristics of this disease.
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.
Objective To observe the efficacy of vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods Fourteen patients (14 eyes) of PCV with vitreous hemorrhage diagnosed by routine ophthalmologic examination, A and/or B mode ultrasound, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were enrolled in this study. The patients included eight males (eight eyes) and six females (six eyes), with the mean age of (58.7plusmn;6.0) years. All patients received vitrectomy with silicone oil and C3F8 gas tamponade. There were eight eyes received photodynamic therapy (PDT) after surgery. The retinal reattachment, visual acuity, pathological lesion degree and complications were comparatively analyzed. Results Among 14 eyes, six eyes (42.9%) recovered, seven eyes (50.0%) improved, and one eye (7.1%) aggravated. Ten eyes achieved retinal reattachment after surgery, while four eyes developed retinal detachment after the first surgery. The retina remained attached in these three eyes after silicon oil tamponade, C3F8 gas tamponade and scleral buckling, respectively; but one eye maintained silicon oil without special treatment. Thirteen eyes (92.9%) achieved retinal reattachment finally. Five eyes of them occurred hyphema one to seven days after surgery, but hyphema was absorbed and intraocular pressure was stable after douche of anterior chamber and pharmacotherapy. The vision improved with more than two lines in one eyes, improved with one to two lines in one eye, unchanged in 10 eyes, and decreased in two eyes. Of eight eyes who underwent PDT, abnormal vessels regressed in five eyes, abnormal vessels remained in three eyes. Conclusions Vitrectomy can remove cloudy refracting media for PCV with vitreous hemorrhage. The combined treatment of vitrectomy and PDT can improve or stabilize visual function,is an effective therapy for the PCV with vitreous hemorrhage.
Ovjective To observe the surgically excised specimens from eyes with hemorrhagic age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Thirty-six surgically excised specimens were captured from 36 patients with hemorrhagic AMD, 26 specimens were diagnosed as occult choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM), 10 specimens were diagnosed as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). All specimens were routinely processed by hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acidSchiffprime;s stain and Masson stainings. At the maximum horizontal and vertical slice of the specimens, the category and amount of the cells in the specimen were recorded, as well as the relationship between the specimens and the surrounding tissue. Results The 36 specimens are categorized as neovascular membrane dominant (19/36), collagen fiber dominant (6/36), blood clot dominant (8/36) and degenerated thickened Bruch`s membrane dominant (3/36). Eighteen occult CNVM specimens and 1 PCV specimen are categorized as neovascular membrane dominant; all 6 collagen fiber dominant specimens are occult CNVM; 1 occult CNVM and 7 PCV specimens are categorized as blood clot dominant; and 1 occult CNVM and 2 PCV specimens are categorized as degenerated thickened Bruch`s membrane dominant. The occult CNVM categorized as neovascular membrane dominant present as small blood vessel with single endothelium cell attached; the PCV specimen categorized as neovascular dominant presents as big blood vessel with thick vessel wall under the Bruch`s membrane, retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal melanocyte are both observed in the PCV specimens. Conclusion The components of the specimens captured from eyes with hemorrhagic AMD are diversified.
Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of patients with choroidal folds, which including ocular fundus, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods The clinical data of 62 eyes of 34 patients with choroidal folds were analyzed retrospectively. The patients include 10 patients(20 eyes) of VogtKoyanagiHarada syndrome, 1 patients(2 eyes) of Behcet diseases, 11 patients(21 eyes) of other uveitis, 5 patients (9 eyes) of papolloedema, 2 patients(2 eyes) of choroidal tumor, 2 patients(4 eyes) of, hypotony with macular degeneration, 1 patient(2 eyes) of,Graves diseases, 1 patient (1 eye) of,blunt trauma and 1 patient(1 eye) of uveal effusion syndrome. All patients underwent the examination of direct ophthalmoscope, fundus color photography and FFA, meanwhile, 9 patients (17 eyes) with ICGA examination, 9 patients(18 eyes) with OCT examination. Results Choroidal folds were bright and dark stripes on the fundus, their numbers were variable. They can be arranged radially, horizontally, oblique or concentrically around the macular area, or radiating from optic disk but rarely over equator region. On FFA there were more folds which were subjected to coarse folds and wrinkles. They were obvious at early stage and no leakage at late stage. On ICGA choroidal folds showed normal or hypofluorescence at early stage, and hyperfluorescence or hypofluorescence at late stage. The hyperfluorescence or hypofluorescence bands were corresponding to the hypofluorescence of FFA but not obvious as FFA. On OCT choroidal folds involved choriod and retinal pigment epithelial layer (RPEL). Conclusion Choroidal fold is a bright and dark stripes that involved choriod and RPEL. The angiography showed hypofluorescence bands without leakage. Be familiar with the imaging features of choroidal folds can help to found the choroidal folds and the original diseases.