A comparative study of type 1 neovascularization: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration versus pachychoroid neovasculopathy

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110378
Author(s):  
Muhammed Altinisik ◽  
Emin Kurt ◽  
Pinar Sonmezer ◽  
Ozcan Kayikcioglu ◽  
Suleyman Sami Ilker

Purpose: This study aimed to compare type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) characteristics in eyes with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: Treatment naive 23 eyes of 23 patients with PNV and 24 eyes of 24 patients with nAMD were evaluated. The height of pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and the central macular thickness were determined. OCTA sensitivity, CNV area, morphological patterns, and retinal superficial capillary plexus vessel density (SCP-VD) values were compared. The frequency of quiescent CNV, subretinal hyperreflective exudation (SHE), subretinal/intraretinal fluid, serous PED, double-layer sign (DLS), and pachyvessels were noted. Results: CNV was detected on OCTA in 83.3% of nAMD eyes and 91.3% of PNV eyes ( p = 0.66). Indistinct pattern was more common (74% vs 50%) and the CNV area (mm2) was smaller in PNV (0.77 ± 0.54 vs 1.57 ± 1.43) but did not reach significant levels ( p = 0.27 and 0.33 respectively). SCP-VD was similar between the groups ( p = 0.38). Statistically significant differences were found between groups in age and subfoveal choroidal thickness ( p < 0.05). DLS and pachyvessels were found to be more frequently in PNV ( p < 0.05). However, both groups had similar rates of quiescent CNV, SHE, subretinal/intraretinal fluid, and serous PED ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Morphological features, area, and activation findings of type 1 CNV may play a limited role in differentiating nAMD and PNV cases.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jong In You ◽  
Kiyoung Kim

Purpose. To evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PCN) when compared with type 1 neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 30 and 60 patients whose eyes were diagnosed as treatment-naïve PCN or type 1 nAMD, respectively. All subjects were followed up for 5 years. Baseline angiographic characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results. PCN group consisted of patients of younger age and represented more choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, polypoidal lesion, and history of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) at the time of diagnosis (all p  < 0.01). During the 5-year follow-up period, individuals in the PCN group received significantly fewer injections and reported better visual acuity compared to individuals in the type 1 nAMD group. A progressive decrease in the subfoveal choroidal thickness was observed in the type 1 nAMD group, while the thick choroid was maintained in the PCN group during the 5-year follow-up period. Conclusions. PCN developed in younger patients with a higher propensity of forming polypoidal lesions and a history of CSC. Long-term outcomes revealed that PCN had a thicker choroid and better visual prognosis with fewer number of intravitreal injection than that of type 1 nAMD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetaka Matsumoto ◽  
Junki Hoshino ◽  
Ryo Mukai ◽  
Kosuke Nakamura ◽  
Hideo Akiyama

AbstractWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of loading phase treatment with intravitreal brolucizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV). We analyzed consecutive 42 eyes of 40 patients with treatment-naïve nAMD associated with type 1 CNV. Three monthly injections of brolucizumab were completed in 36 eyes (85.7%). In those cases, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.24 ± 0.27 at baseline and improved significantly to 0.12 ± 0.23 after 3 months (P < 0.001). Central macular thickness was 301 ± 110 µm at baseline and decreased significantly to 160 ± 49 µm after 3 months (P < 0.001). Dry macula was achieved in 34 eyes (94.4%) after the loading phase. Central choroidal thickness was 264 ± 89 µm at baseline and decreased significantly to 223 ± 81 µm after 3 months (P < 0.001). Indocyanine green angiography after the loading phase revealed complete regression of polypoidal lesions in 15 of the 19 eyes (78.9%) with polypoidal lesions. Non-infectious intraocular inflammation (IOI) was observed in 8 of 42 eyes (19.0%) during the loading phase, while showing amelioration in response to combination therapy with topical and subtenon injection of steroids. In these eyes, BCVA after 3 months had not deteriorated as compared to that at baseline. These results indicate that loading phase treatment with intravitreal brolucizumab might be effective for improving visual acuity and reducing exudative changes in eyes with nAMD associated with type 1 CNV. Moreover, polypoidal lesions appear to frequently regress after this treatment. However, we must monitor patients carefully for brolucizumab-related IOI, and administer steroid therapy promptly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Nemcansky ◽  
Alexandr Stepanov ◽  
Michal Koubek ◽  
Miroslav Veith ◽  
Yun Min Klimesova ◽  
...  

Purpose. To present a cohort of treatment-naive patients with the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with aflibercept in a fixed regimen and evaluate the treatment response of three types of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV)—occult (Type 1), classic (Type 2), and minimally classic (Type 4). Methods. This was a multicentre, prospective, observational consecutive case series study. Patients diagnosed with three types of CNV of nAMD were treated in a fixed regimen (3 injections every 4 weeks, and then injections at 8 week intervals). The follow-up period was 48 weeks. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The measurements were taken at the baseline and then at 16, 32, and 48 weeks. Results. The treatment-naive group was composed of 135 eyes of 135 patients in the study. 61 eyes had Type 1 lesions of CNV, 50 eyes had Type 2 lesions, and 24 eyes had Type 4 lesions. Mean baseline BCVA ± SD for Type 1 lesions was 56.1 ± 10.8 ETDRS letters, and then 62.2 ± 12.9 letters, 61.2 ± 13.7 letters, and 62.8 ± 15.1 letters at 16, 32, and 48 weeks, respectively. Mean baseline CRT ± SD for Type 1 lesions was 442.4 ± 194.9 μm, and then 302.5 ± 144.4 μm, 299.7 ± 128.5 μm, and 277.7 ± 106.5 μm at 16, 32, and 48 weeks, respectively. Mean baseline BCVA ± SD for Type 2 lesions was 55.6 ± 9.9 ETDRS letters, and then 62.5 ± 11.1 letters, 60.7 ± 13.0 letters, and 62.5 ± 14.2 letters at 16, 32, and 48 weeks, respectively. Mean baseline CRT ± SD. For Type 4 lesions mean baseline BCVA ± SD was 56.7 ± 9.0 ETDRS letters, and then 59.1 ± 10.6 letters, 59.5 ± 11.4 letters, and 59.2 ± 12.6 letters at 16, 32, and 48 weeks respectively. Mean baseline CRT ± SD for Type 4 lesions was 492.1 ± 187.0 μm, and then 333.3 ± 137.5 μm, 354.4 ± 175.0 μm, and 326.7 ± 122.4 μm at 16, 32, and 48 weeks respectively. All these changes were statistically significant (p<0.005). Conclusions. The primary outcome of our study is that the treatment with aflibercept in nAMD patients led to statistically significant improvement in BCVA and to a decrease in CRT throughout the follow-up period in both occult and classic types of CNV. The minimally classic type of CNV demonstrated a poorer functional and anatomical response to treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Daniel Ahmed ◽  
Martin Stattin ◽  
Anna-Maria Haas ◽  
Stefan Kickinger ◽  
Maximilian Gabriel ◽  
...  

Purpose. To evaluate the capability of swept source-optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) in the detection and localization of treatment-naive macular neovascularization (MNV) secondary to exudative neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods. In this prospective, observational case series, 158 eyes of 142 patients were diagnosed with exudative nAMD using fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and evaluated by SS-OCTA in a tertiary retina center (Rudolf Foundation Hospital Vienna, Austria). The main outcome measure was the sensitivity of SS-OCTA compared to the standard multimodal imaging approach. Secondary outcome measure was the anatomic analysis of MNV in relation to the retinal pigment epithelium. Results. En-face SS-OCTA confirmed a MNV in 126 eyes (sensitivity: 79.8%), leaving 32 eyes (20.2%) undetected. In 23 of these 32 eyes (71.9%), abnormal flow in cross-sectional SS-OCTA B-scans was identified, giving an overall SS-OCTA sensitivity of 94.3%. Eyes with a pigment epithelium detachment (PED) ≥ 300 μm had a smaller probability for correct MNV detection ( p = 0.015 ). Type 1 MNV showed a trend ( p = 0.051 ) towards smaller probability for the correct detection compared to all other subtypes. Other relevant factors for the nondetection of MNV in SS-OCTA were image artifacts present in 3 of 32 eyes (9.4%). SS-OCTA confirmed the anatomic localization of 93 in 126 MNVs as compared to FA (sensitivity: 73.8%). There was no influence of age, gender, pseudophakia, visual acuity, central foveal thickness, or subfoveal choroidal thickness on the detection rate of MNV. Conclusions. SS-OCTA remains inferior to dye-based angiography in the detection rate of exudative nAMD consistent with type 1 MNV and a PED ≥300 µm. The capability to combine imaging modalities and distinguish the respective MNV subtype improves its diagnostic value.


Author(s):  
E.K. Pedanova ◽  

Pachychoriod neovasculopathy and typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration often look similar, but some differences have been described both genotypically and in the level of cytokine profile, which explains the difference in response to antiangiogenic therapy. It is known that pachychoriod diseases are characterized by choroidal subfoveolar thickening. However, there is currently no data on the structural features of the choroid in the presence of pachychoriod neovasculopathy outside the fovea. Purpose. To perform a detailed analysis of choroial structure on OCT scans of patients with neovascular AMD with normal choroidal subfoveolar thickness and to reveal the frequency of pachychoriodal neovasculopathy identification. Material and methods. In retrospective study, the data of 30 treatment-naive patients (30 eyes) aged 71.5±7.6 years with CNV type 1 were analyzed, including 18 women and 12 men, with a subfeolar thickness of the choroidal membrane not exceeding 250 µm. The patients underwent OCT and OCT-angiography using a Spectralis device (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany). In the foveolar zone and under the neovascular complex, if it is located outside the fovea, the structure of the choroid was analyzed: the choroidal thickness, Haller layer and choriocapillaries / layer of Sattler vessels were measured. Results. The average thickness of the choroid in the fovea in all patients was 170.1±40 µm. The thickness of Haller vessels layer was on average 112.3±20 μm, and the layer of choriocapillaries / Sattler vessels was 57.8±12 μm. In 22 eyes, the structure of the choroid and the ratio of all layers were similar in all analyzed OCT scans. However, in 8 eyes, under the CNV located extrafoveally, a thickening of the choroid was revealed up to 210.5±51 µm, the main volume of the choroid was presented by pachyvessels – dilated and enlarged vessels of the Haller layer which thickness was 189.4 ± 48 µm, and thinning of the choriocapillary / Sattler layer to 21.1±16 µm. Conclusion. Among 30 patients with normal subfoveolar thickness of the choroid, the frequency of PNV was 26.6%. Taking into account the literature data on different responses to antiangiogenic therapy in patients with PNV and typical AMD, we can once again emphasize the importance of a detailed assessment of changes in the choroid not only in the foveolar zone, but also specifically in the area of the neovascular complex. Key words: pachychoriod neovasculopathy, choroid, OCT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110057
Author(s):  
Pierre Gascon ◽  
Prithvi Ramtohul ◽  
Charles Delaporte ◽  
Sébastien Kerever ◽  
Danièle Denis ◽  
...  

Purpose: To report the visual and anatomic outcomes in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients treated with aflibercept under a standardized Treat and Extend (T&E) protocol for up to 3 years of follow-up in “real-life” practice. Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicenter study included patients with treatment-naïve nAMD and at least 12 months of follow-up. T&E regimen adjustment was initiated after loading phase. At each visit best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography parameters were performed. Results: One hundred and thirty-six eyes of 115patients had at least 1 year of follow-up with 114 and 82 eyes completing at least 2 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively (mean follow-up duration: 2.7 ± 1.3 years). Mean age was 78.6 ± 8.6 years old and 52% were women. Mean BCVA increased from 60.6 ± 18.7 letters at diagnosis to 66.9 ± 16.2 letters at 1 year (+6.3 letters, p = 0.003) and remained stable throughout the follow-up period (63.1 ± 20.3 letters (+2.5, p = 0.1) and 64.0 ± 20.1 letters (+3.4, p = 0.27) at 2 and 3 years, respectively). The mean central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 358.2 ± 87.9 µm at baseline to 302 ± 71.7 µm at 12 months and maintained stable after 36 months of follow-up (297.1 ± 76 µm, p < 0.0001). Mean number of injections was 6.6 ± 2.2, 4.8 ± 1.9, and 5.6 ± 1.7 at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Mean cumulative number of 16.4 ± 5.6 injections after 3 years. Mean treatment interval was 6.8 ± 2.5 weeks at 1 year. Eight-week and 12-week treatment interval were achieved in 59.5% and 19.1%, 65.8%, and 36.8% and 69.5% and 41.5% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that intravitreal injections of aflibercept initiated under a standardized T&E for patients with treatment-naïve nAMD allow for significant visual improvement at 12 months, which was maintained over a 3-year follow-up period.


2021 ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
Leonie F. Keidel ◽  
Benedikt Schworm ◽  
Siegfried G. Priglinger ◽  
Jakob Siedlecki

Nonresponse of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy can often be attributed to misdiagnosis, and pathologies mimicking AMD might require different therapeutic concepts. In the following, we want to outline a case of presumed nAMD which revealed to be pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and was successfully treated by the addition of spironolactone. A 67-year-old female patient was referred for nonresponse of nAMD on her left eye after 29 intravitreal injections of aflibercept with no complete resolution of subretinal fluid. On fundoscopy, both maculae presented with pigment epithelium alterations, while the left eye showed subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT) with an associated pigment epithelium detachment, which revealed to contain a neovascular network on OCT angiography. There was faint leakage on fluorescence (FAG) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and some focal vascular dilation of the neovascular network on ICGA. Due to the absence of Drusen on any eye, a thick choroid, and the presence of a gravitational tract on blue autofluorescence (BAF), chronic central serous chorioretinopathy with a choroidal neovascularization, defined as PNV in the pachychoroid disease was diagnosed. Upon the addition of spironolactone to anti-VEGF treatment, choroidal thickness significantly decreased, and subretinal fluid resolution was observed and maintained for the first time. In conclusion, PNV should be ruled out in cases of presumed nAMD nonresponding to anti-VEGF. In these cases, a combination therapy of anti-VEGF and mineralocorticoid antagonists can facilitate fluid resorption.


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