Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in patients aged less than 50 years: characteristics and 6-month treatment outcome

Differences between young and elderly polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy patients with and without pachychoroid phenotypes

PURPOSE

To investigate the distinct characteristics between young and elderly polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients based on the pachy- or non-pachychoroid phenotypes.

METHODS

PCV patients treated with intravitreal injections of Conbercept based on the 3 + PRN regimen from 27 centers of China PCV Research Alliance were included. Patients were categorized into the young and the elderly aged group based on the cut-off point determined using the Youden method according to the pachychoroid phenotypes. The characteristics of past medical history, lifestyle factors, fundus manifestations, and treatment response between the subgroups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Three hundred eight eligible patients were included. Multivariate logistic regression showed a significant association between age and PCV subtype classification (OR = 0.921, P = 0.002). A cutoff age of 64.5 effectively distinguished between pachychoroid PCV and non-pachychoroid PCV (P < 0.001). Elderly PCV patients had a higher incidence of hypertension history (P = 0.044) but a lower incidence of diabetes history (P = 0.027). In terms of lifestyle, smoking history (P = 0.015) and staying up late (P = 0.004) were more significant in the young group of PCV patients. For clinical characteristics, the proportion of hemorrhagic PCV in the young group was significantly higher (P = 0.038), with a higher proportion of sharp-peaked PED (P = 0.049), thicker choroid (P < 0.001) but a lower portion of double-layer sign (P = 0.023) in OCT. Both groups showed significant anatomical changes compared to baseline in each follow-up period (P < 0.05), with the young group having a higher proportion of good anatomical response after the first injection (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

PCV patients stratified by subtype exhibit distinct characteristics between the young and elderly groups.

Age-related differences in the prevalence of subtypes of Neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the first diagnosed eye

PURPOSE

To evaluate age-related differences in the prevalence of subtypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the first diagnosed eye.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational study included 1099 eyes of 1099 patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD. The neovascular AMD cases were classified into three subtypes: typical neovascular AMD, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and type 3 neovascularization. The patients were divided into four groups, according to age: > 50 and < 60 years, ≥ 60 and < 70 years, ≥ 70 and < 80 years, and ≥ 80 years. Difference in the prevalence of three AMD subtypes was evaluated among the four age groups.

RESULTS

In the age group > 50 and < 60 years, 34 (25.0%) and 102 patients (75.0%) were diagnosed with typical neovascular AMD and PCV, respectively. In the age group ≥ 60 and < 70 years, 90 (28.1%), 206 (64.4%), and 24 patients (7.5%) were diagnosed with typical neovascular AMD, PCV, and type 3 neovascularization, respectively. In the age group ≥ 70 and < 80 years, the corresponding numbers were 200 (41.9%), 197 (41.3%), and 80 (16.8%), respectively; in the age group ≥80 years, the corresponding values were 83 (50.0%), 39 (23.5%), and 44 (26.5%), respectively. A significant difference was observed in the prevalence of the subtypes of neovascular AMD among the four age groups (chi-square test, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Subtype prevalence in newly diagnosed neovascular AMD differs significantly according to age. This result suggests that different pathophysiology may be involved in the development of different subtypes of neovascular AMD.

Retinal sensitivity after displacement of submacular hemorrhage due to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: effectiveness and safety of subretinal tissue plasminogen activator

PURPOSE

To investigate the effectiveness of displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) caused by polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) by assessing retinal sensitivity using microperimetry.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 11 consecutive PCV patients with SMH. All patients underwent vitrectomy, subretinal injection of tissue plasminogen activator, and fluid-air exchange, followed by antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy using a pro re nata regimen. The retinal sensitivity was measured by use of microperimetry before and after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the patients was 74.1 ± 9.4 years. The mean SMH diameter was 6.8 ± 5.2 disc diameters. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean retinal sensitivity, and mean number of measure points with a sensitivity ≥10 dB before the surgery were 0.94 ± 0.49, 4.2 ± 4.5 dB, and 15.6 ± 15.1 points, respectively. These had significantly improved 6 months after surgery (0.39 ± 0.37, 15.6 ± 7.3 dB, and 50.9 ± 22.2 points, respectively; P < 0.05 for all outcome measures). The mean number of measure points with an absolute scotoma before surgery had decreased significantly 6 months after surgery (from 40.5 ± 15.0 to 9.4 ± 16.0 points; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Displacement of SMH effectively improves retinal sensitivity as well as BCVA.