LARGE AND MEDIUM CHOROIDAL VESSEL REMODELING IN PROGRESSIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To describe the long-term follow-up of large- and medium-sized choroidal vessels in eyes with age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational analysis of eyes with age-related macular degeneration or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up of indocyanine green angiography. Qualitative analysis of the choroidal vessels was performed at baseline until the final visit.

RESULTS

The authors analyzed 10 eyes of 5 patients diagnosed with either age-related macular degeneration or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with a follow-up duration ranging from 7 to 16 years. Eyes with active disease received various treatment modalities. On serial follow-up of indocyanine green angiography images, remodeling of medium and large choroidal vessels was seen. The changes included large choroidal vessel attenuation, prominence/dilatation of pre-existing choroidal vessels connecting the neovascular complex, and formation of new anastomotic channels. These changes appeared adjacent to present or future neovascular complex locations. One uninvolved fellow eye showed minimal changes on follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The long-term changes in large- and medium-sized choroidal vessels in eyes with age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with serial indocyanine green angiography images are reported. These vascular alterations suggest the possible role played by these vessels in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascular complexes.