Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) from Central China . Methods This was a retrospective study, and 403 eyes of 362 patients diagnosed as PCV by ocular fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled. The general clinical data, fundus manifestation and ocular fundus examinations were statistically analyzed. Results Three hundred and sixty-two cases included 249 males (68.8%) and 113 females (31.2%). Age ranged from 45 to 91 years old, and mean age was (64.81plusmn;9.31) years old. Bilateral lesions were observed in 41 patients (11.3%) and unilateral lesions were observed in 321 patients (88.7%)． In these 403 eyes, typical orangered lesions were observed in 162 eyes (40.2%); yellowishwhite exudate could be found in 185 eyes (45.9%); 268 eyes (66.5%) showed variable degrees of subretinal hemorrhage. Drusen was found in 23 eyes (5.7%), pigment proliferation in 20 eyes (5.0%) and fiber vascular scar in 96 eyes (23.8%). The lesions of 386 eyes (95.8%) located in macular region, 53 eyes (13.2%) in peripapillary area. Lesions presented multifoci in 67 eyes (16.6%). Three hundred and four eyes (75.4%) presented typical polypoidal lesions and 152 eyes (37.7%) with abnormal branching choroidal networks. Hemorrhagic retinal pigment epithelial detachments (PED) were found in 200 eyes (49.6%) and serous PED in 96 eyes (23.8%), both existed in 25 eyes（6.2%）. OCT showed 56 eyes (13.9%) presented cystoid dark chamber between the neurosensory retina and 109 eyes (27.0%) with double-layer sign formed by the separation of retinal pigment epithelium and Bruchprime;s membrane (27.0%). Two hundred and seventy-four eyes (68.0%) were found with conelike elevation beneath the RPE layer and 151 eyes (37.6%) with neurosensory detachment. Conclusions In Central China, the majority of PCV patients were male, unilateral. Most PCV lesions were located in the macula. Subretinal hemorrhage, polypoidal lesions and abnormal choroidal vascular networks were common in the PCV patients. Hemorrhagic PED presented a higher ratio than serous PED.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) vs. photodynamic therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Methods A computerized search was conducted in Pubmed, OVID, Chinese Biological Medicine Database（CBM）,China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） by using key words ldquo;polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal anti-VEGFrdquo; in Chinese and/or English combined with manually searching of bibliographies of pertinent articles, journals and literature reference proceedings. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-RCT were collected. The search time was ranged from establishment of each database to September, 2011. The search was no 1imitation in language. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),resolution and recurring of lesions, decrease or complete resolution of pigment epithelial detachment （PED）,visual extinction or blindness rate,the rate of subretinal hemorrhage were analyzed by RevMan 5.0 software. Results In total, one RCT and four non-RCTs (273 patients) were included in the meta-analysis involving 148 patients in single treatment group and 125 patients in combined treatment group. The results of metaanalyses showed that there was no significant difference between two groups in the mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution BCVA at six months ［standard mean difference=0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.12- 0.14,P=0.84］and 12 months ［standard mean difference = 0.04, 95%CI: -0.16-0.25,P=0.69 after treatment. There was no significant difference between two groups in the resolution of lesions ［odds ratio (OR)=1.38,95%CI:0.74-2.55,P=0.31］ at the months after treatment and decrease or complete resolution of PED (OR=0.67,95%CI:0.12-3.69,P=0.65) at 12 months after treatment. There was no significant difference between two groups in the recurring of lesions (OR=1.14, 95% CI:0.58-2.24,P=0.71) and lost of ge; three lines vision or blindness rate (OR=1.20, 95%CI:0.34-4.18,P=0.78) at 12 months after treatment. The rate of subretinal hemorrhage in combine treatment group was significant lower than single treatment group (OR=0.41, 95%CI:0.18 -0.94,P=0.04). Conclusions The incidence of subretinal hemorrhage occurred in patients with PCV after intravitreal anti-VEGF combined with PDT is much lower than that after single PDT.But the visual improvement, resolution of lesions and recurring of lesions of combined treatment need further studied to see if it is better than single PDT.
Objective To observe the characteristics of optical coherence tomography（OCT）in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) before and after photodynamic therapy (PDT), and investigate its relationship with visual acuity. Methods Thirty-four PCV patients (40 eyes) diagnosed by fundus fluoresce angiography and indocyanine green angiography who had underwent the treatment of PDT, were enrolled in this study. The logMAR corrected visual acuity (CVA) were detected and the height and the base diameter of retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED）and retinal detachment (RD), central subfield thickness (CST), macular volume (MV) were measured by OCT before and after treatment. Before the treatment, the mean logMAR CVA was 0.66plusmn;0.32 and visible PED and RD were seen on OCT images. The OCT characteristics and relationship with visual acuity were comparatively analyzed. Results One, three, six and 12 months after treatment, the mean logMAR CVA were 0.58plusmn;0.27, 0.48plusmn;0.38, 0.51plusmn;0.37 and 0.50plusmn;0.36. The differences of CVA were statistically significant between beforetreatment and three, 12 months after treatment(t=2.32,2.10; P＜0.05),but not between beforetreatment and one,six months after treatment (t=1.22,1.961;P＞0.05). The differences of the height and the base diameter of PED were statistically significant between before treatment and six,12 months after treatment (t=2.34,2.03;P＜0.05),but not between before treatment and one, three months after treatment (t=1.07,1.50;P＞0.05). The differences of the height (t=2.22,2.99,3.30,3.95) and the base diameter (t=2.55,3.33,3.11,3.92) of RD were statistically significant between before treatment and one, three, six and 12 months after treatment (P＜0.05). The differences of CST (t=2.71,3.55,3.81,3.21) and MV (t=2.10,3.30,3.62,4.18) were statistically significant between before treatment and one, three, six and 12 months after treatment (P＜0.05). CVA had negative correlation with the base diameter of PED, the height and the base diameter of RD, CST and MV (r=-0.88,-0.89,-0.92,-0.86,-0.94;P＜0.05), no correlation with the height of PED (r=-0.70,P＞0.05). Conclusions The height and the base diameter of PED and RD, CST, MV of PCV are decrease after PDT. There is a negative correlation between CVA and the base diameter of PED,the height and the base diameter of RD,CST and MV.
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.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of personalized clinical therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsEighty-six eyes of 79 patients with PCV were enrolled in this study. There were 60 males (65 eyes) and 19 females (21 eyes). The average age was (64.48±13.15) years old. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and/or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were measured. The average BCVA was 0.19±0..20. There were three groups in this study including photodynamic therapy (PDT) group (group A, 45 eyes), PDT and intravitreal ranibizumab injection group (group B, 31 eyes), and PDT combined with sub-Tenon's capsule triamcinolone acetonide injection group (group C, 10 eyes). Follow up begun at 1 month after the treatment. 40 eyes in group A were followed up for 1 to 12 months with the average 3.27 months.28 eyes in group B were followed up for 1 to 36 months with the average 6.68 months. 9 eyes in group C were followed up for 1 to 12 months with the average 5.67 months. Patients with recurrent or worsen lesions were followed by FFA or ICGA. Pre- and post-treatment BCVA and retinal thickness of the fovea were comparatively analyzed. ResultsAll eyes (100.0%) in group A, 20 eyes (64.52%) in group B and 9 eyes (90.00%) in group C received treatment only once. The mean BCVA at 1 month after treatment was significantly increased than the pre-treatment BCVA in all 3 groups (t=2.061, 3.262, 3.258; P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the 3 groups (t=1.345, 0.683, 0.168; P>0.05). Compared to pre-treatment measures, the mean retinal thickness of the fovea was significantly decreased in group A and group B (t=2.239, 4.334; P<0.05), but not changed in group C (t=2.286, P>0.05) at 1 month after treatment. Thirteen eyes in group A were followed by FFA and (or) ICGA, which showed that there were 3 eyes with complete closed PCV and alleviated pigment epithelial detachment (PED), 4 eyes with partial closed PCV, 3 eyes with stable PCV and 3 eyes with worsen PCV. Ten eyes in group B were followed by FFA and (or) ICGA, which showed that there were 3 eyes with complete closed PCV, 3 eyes with partial closed PCV, 4 eyes with recurrence PCV. Five eyes in group C were followed by FFA and (or) ICGA, which showed that there were 4 eyes with complete closed PCV, 1 eyes with recurrence PCV. ConclusionAll 3 therapy strategies can stop or reduce PCV leakage and improve the visual acuity in some degree.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and its correlation with the visual acuity after photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal ranibizumab. MethodsTwenty-six eyes of 26 patients with PCV diagnosed by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were enrolled in this study. All the patients were examined for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp microscope, SD-OCT, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and ICGA before and 1, 3 months after treatment. The mean baseline BCVA was (31.46±16.87) letters, mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was (581.19±309.05) μm, and mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was (248.92±95.45) μm. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the final visual improvement after 6 month of treatment: GR or sensitive Group (17 eyes) and PR or non-sensitive Group (9 eyes). GR group included 12 males and 5 females, with a mean age of (65.24±7.03) years, a mean CRT of (619.06±335.07) μm and a mean SFCT of (271.24±106.61) μm. There were 4 eyes with subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), 2 eyes with interface retinal fluid (IRF), 13 eyes with subretinal fluids (SRF) and 15 eyes with pigment epithelial detachment (PED). PR group included 8 males and 1female, with a mean age of (64.00±7.02) years, a mean CRT of (509.67±255.21) μm and a mean SFCT of (271.24±106.61) μm. There were 6 eyes with subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), 5 eyes with interface retinal fluid (IRF), 6 eyes with subretinal fluids (SRF) and 8 eyes with pigment epithelial detachment (PED). The difference of sex, age, CRT and SFCT between these two groups was not significant (P>0.05). The relationship of baseline SD-OCT and post-treatment BCVA was analyzed. ResultsOn 1, 2, 3, 6 months after treatment, the BCVA were (38.46±19.81), (40.04±20.80), (42.96±21.63), (43.77±20.91) letters respectively. On 6 months after treatment, the mean CRT in GR and PR group were (360.71±276.54), (341.44±193.68) μm respectively (P>0.05). 64.71% (11/17) eyes in GR group and 22.22% (2/9) eyes in PR group had a SFCT thicker than 263μm. The difference was statistical significant between two groups [odds ratio (OR):0.052, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.005-0.533; P=0.013]. Logistic regression analysis showed that existence of IRF (OR=9.375, 95% CI: 1.299-67.645; P=0.026) or SRH (OR=6.500, 95% CI: 1.094-38.633; P=0.040) at baseline was negative prognostic factor to treatment. ConclusionThick SFCT is a protective factor, however, existence of IRF or SRH at baseline is negative prognostic factor of final visual improvement.
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.
ObjectiveTo compare the visual outcomes of treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab alone or in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsIn this retrospective and comparative study, 36 eyes of 36 patients with PCV were enrolled. Eighteen eyes received 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) ranibizumab injection only (simple injection group) and the other 18 eyes underwent combination therapy of ranibizumab injection and PDT (combination treatment group). Intravitreal ranibizumab was given at the third day after PDT. Re-treatment was considered in clinic examination. The minimum re-treatment interval was 3 months for combination therapy and 1 month for ranibizumab. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline and each follow-up visit at 1, 3, 6, 12 month was measured as a primary outcome, and complications also observed in every follow-up. ResultsNo complications occurred in these 36 patients during the treatment or follow-up, such as retinal detachment, sustained high intraocular pressure, retinal holes, intraocular inflammation, and systemic adverse reactions. The average times of ranibizumab injections of simple injection group and combined treatment group were (3.00±0.84) and (1.89±0.68) times respective, and the difference was significant (t=4.370, P=0.000). The logMAR BCVA of the first and third month after initial treatment between two groups were significant different (t=0.668, 0.940; P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference between them at the 6th and 12th month (t=2.188, 2.547; P<0.05). In the last follow-up, the logMAR BCVA were improved in simple injection group and combination treatment group compared to the pre-treatment values (t=3.351, 9.408; P=0.012, 0.000). In simple injection group, visual acuity was improved in 3 eyes (16.7%), stable in 13 eyes (72.2%) and decreased in 2 eyes (11.1%). In combination treatment group, visual acuity was improved in 4 eyes (22.2%), stable in 13 eyes (72.2%) and decreased in 1 eyes (5.6%). ConclusionsIntravitreal ranibizumab injection and combined with PDT are both effective to improve vision in patients with PCV. Visual acuity was the same between the two treatments in 3 months after initial treatment; however 6 to 12 months after first treatment, patients received PDT combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection had better visual acuity than those received the intravitreal ranibizumab injection only.