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Yamashiro K, Yanagi Y, Koizumi H, Matsumoto H, Cheung CMG, Gomi F, Iida T, Tsujikawa A. Relationship between Pachychoroid and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154614. [PMID: 35956229 PMCID: PMC9369798 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous clinical studies have suggested that pachychoroid can induce macular neovascularization (MNV) to develop pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and that PNV can progress to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Recent studies based on the pachychoroid concept are now gradually revealing the true nature of, at least some part of, PCV. However, previous studies on PNV and/or PCV have used different frameworks for the classification of PNV, PCV, and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). These have hampered the rapid overhaul of the understanding of PCV. Some investigators have assumed that all PCV is pachychoroid-driven whereas other investigators have classified PCV into “pachychoroid PCV” and “non-pachychoroid PCV”. Furthermore, since there is no consensus as to whether PNV includes PCV, some studies have included PCV with PNV, while other studies have excluded PCV from PNV. To address these gaps, we summarize previous studies on PCV and pachychoroid. Even before the proposal of the pachychoroid concept, previous studies had suggested that PCV could be divided into two subtypes, of which one was characterized by pachychoroid features. Previous studies had also provided keys to understand relationship between PCV and PNV. We here recommend a refined conceptual framework for future studies on PNV, PCV, and nAMD. Considering the current inconsistent understanding of PCV, we should be cautious about using the term PCV until we understand the true nature of PCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yamashiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku 7838505, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 6068507, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-88-880-2391
| | - Yasuo Yanagi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Micro-Technology, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 2320024, Japan
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 168751, Singapore
- The Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Hideki Koizumi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara 9030215, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Matsumoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 3718511, Japan
| | - Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore 168751, Singapore
- The Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Fumi Gomi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya 6638501, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Iida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo 1628666, Japan
| | - Akitaka Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 6068507, Japan
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Yamashiro K, Hosoda Y, Miyake M, Ooto S, Tsujikawa A. Characteristics of Pachychoroid Diseases and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Multimodal Imaging and Genetic Backgrounds. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9072034. [PMID: 32610483 PMCID: PMC7409179 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9072034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of pachychoroid disease is changing the concept of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The concept of pachychoroid diseases was developed through clinical observation of multimodal images of eyes with AMD and central serous chorioretinopathy; however, recent genetic studies have provided a proof of concept for pachychoroid spectrum disease, which should be differentiated from drusen-driven AMD. The genetic confirmation of pachychoroid concept further provides novel viewpoints to decode previously reported findings, which facilitates an understanding of the true nature of pachychoroid diseases and AMD. The purpose of this review was to elucidate the relationship between pachychoroid diseases and AMD by interpreting previous findings on pachychoroid diseases and AMD from the novel viewpoints of genetic associations. We confirmed that previous genetic studies supported the concept of pachychoroid diseases. From a genetic viewpoint, the presence of thick choroid and the presence of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability were important characteristics of pachychoroid spectrum diseases. Previous studies have also suggested the classification of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) into two subtypes, pachychoroid neovasculopathy and drusen-driven PCV. Genetic viewpoints will be beneficial to rearrange subtypes of drusen-driven AMD and pachychoroid spectrum diseases. Further genetic studies are needed to investigate pachyvessels, pachydrusen and the significance of polypoidal lesions in pachychoroid neovasculopathy and drusen-driven AMD/PCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Yamashiro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (Y.H.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (A.T.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Japanese Red Cross Otsu Hospital, Otsu 520-8511, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-75-751-3248; Fax: +81-75-752-0933
| | - Yoshikatsu Hosoda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (Y.H.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (A.T.)
| | - Masahiro Miyake
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (Y.H.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (A.T.)
| | - Sotaro Ooto
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (Y.H.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (A.T.)
| | - Akitaka Tsujikawa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; (Y.H.); (M.M.); (S.O.); (A.T.)
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A 5-year multicenter prospective cohort study on the long-term visual prognosis and predictive factors for visual outcome in Japanese patients with age-related macular degeneration: the AMD2000 study. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2017; 62:137-143. [PMID: 29224056 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-017-0554-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this study (AMD2000), we aimed to determine the visual prognosis of Japanese patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS This was a multicenter prospective observational cohort study. In total, 460 patients with AMD were recruited from April 2006 to March 2009 from 18 clinical trial sites in Japan. They were followed up for 5 years, as they continued to receive medical treatment. RESULTS Of the 409 study eyes followed up for at least 1 year, 243 eyes (59.4%) were treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using verteporfin, and 58 eyes (14.2%) were treated with intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents as the initial treatment. The mean best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) for typical AMD (tAMD; 0.688 ± 0.498) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV; 0.451 ± 0.395) were significantly less at 2 years (tAMD, 0.779 ± 0.632, P < 0.05; PCV, 0.534 ± 0.618, P < 0.05) and at 5 years (AMD, 0.873 ± 0.718, P < 0.05; PCV, 0.635 ± 0.668, P < 0.05) than at baseline. In eyes with tAMD, absence of blocked fluorescence was associated with 5-year maintenance of the baseline BCVA. Regarding PCV, the presence of polypoidal lesions and cystoid macular edema as well as the lesion size was associated with 5-year maintenance of the baseline BCVA. In some patients, the diagnosis changed: of the 192 eyes initially diagnosed with typical AMD, 19 were newly diagnosed with PCV during follow-up. CONCLUSION Maintaining the baseline BCVA over the long term is difficult in Japanese eyes with wet AMD.
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Aronés-Santivañez JR, Dyrda A, Alarcón Valero I. Bilateral polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy coexisting with exudative and atrophic age-related macular degeneration. ARCHIVOS DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE OFTALMOLOGIA 2016; 91:604-607. [PMID: 27038540 DOI: 10.1016/j.oftal.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To present the case of simultaneous presentation of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and aged-related macular degeneration (AMD). CASE REPORT An 83-year-old woman presented with decreased vision in the left eye (LE). In the examination there was an orange peripapillary lesion surrounded by lipid exudates and another subfoveal greyish lesion in the LE. Disciform scarring was observed in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography showed a classic neovascular membrane in in the LE fovea. Indocyanine angiography (ICGA) showed a polyp-like peri-papillary aneurysmal dilation in both eyes. The patient was treated with photodynamic therapy and anti-VEFG injections with stabilisation of the lesions. CONCLUSION PCV and AMD can co-exist in unusual cases. When PCV is suspected, ICGA is mandatory for diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Aronés-Santivañez
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Parc de Salut Mar, Hospital de la Esperanza, Barcelona, España.
| | - A Dyrda
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Parc de Salut Mar, Hospital de la Esperanza, Barcelona, España
| | - I Alarcón Valero
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Parc de Salut Mar, Hospital de la Esperanza, Barcelona, España
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Gupta MP, Rusu I, Seidman C, Orlin A, D'Amico DJ, Kiss S. Pachychoroid neovasculopathy in extramacular choroidal neovascularization. Clin Ophthalmol 2016; 10:1275-82. [PMID: 27471372 PMCID: PMC4948685 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s105080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To review a series of extramacular choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) in the context of their choroidal features, as determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods Patients with extramacular CNVMs were identified from a tertiary care center through a review of records. The charts and cases were reviewed using multimodal imaging including fundus photography, OCT, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine angio-graphy (ICG). Results Of six patients with extramacular CNVMs evaluated in this series, four patients (66.7%) exhibited pachychoroidopathy on OCT imaging under or adjacent to the extramacular CNVM. All four of these patients also exhibited pachychoroidopathy in the macular OCT distant from the CNVM. Conclusion Pachychoroidopathy is implicated in some cases of extramacular CNVMs. This represents the first report, to our knowledge, of pachychoroidopathy in extramacular CNVM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinali Patel Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irene Rusu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carly Seidman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anton Orlin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Donald J D'Amico
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Szilard Kiss
- Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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Pilot study of inactive polypoidal lesions in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Eur J Ophthalmol 2014; 25:222-8. [PMID: 25363854 DOI: 10.5301/ejo.5000532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This pilot study was conducted to describe the angiographic characteristics of inactive polypoidal lesions that were observed during indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS This was a retrospective study involving 40 eyes of 39 consecutive Chinese patients with PCV with inactive polypoidal lesions. All patients underwent fundus fluorescein angiography and ICGA examinations. We used ICGA to make a definitive diagnosis of PCV in each patient. The clinical and angiographic characteristics of inactive polypoidal lesions were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS In the 40 eyes that were studied, the time between receiving an injection of indocyanine green and the initial appearance of inactive polypoidal lesions ranged from 8.2 minutes to 25.1 minutes, with a mean time of 15.1 ± 5.6 minutes. Inactive polypoidal lesions were divided into 4 groups: 5 eyes (12.5%) in the asymptomatic group; 8 eyes (20.0%) in the atrophic and/or cicatricial group; 24 eyes (60.0%) in the combined group (coexisting with active polypoidal lesions); and 3 eyes (7.5%) in the mixed group (coexisting with choroidal neovascularization). Twelve of the 40 eyes were followed up for 9 to 29 months (mean 12.4 ± 5.3 months). Over this time period, inactive polypoidal lesions completely regressed (not observed in ICGA) in 3 eyes (25.0%), partially regressed in 3 eyes (25.0%), and were stable (the same as the first visit) in 6 eyes (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS Inactive polypoidal lesions in patients with PCV most commonly appeared during the middle phase of ICGA and were manifested in 4 groups. These lesions represented the sites of PCV in a regressed or quiescent stage.
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Alshahrani ST, Al Shamsi HN, Kahtani ES, Ghazi NG. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy suggest a type 1 neovascular growth pattern. Clin Ophthalmol 2014; 8:1689-95. [PMID: 25214762 PMCID: PMC4159396 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s68471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To report spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventeen eyes of 15 consecutive patients diagnosed with PCV based on typical clinical and angiographic findings were imaged with macular SD-OCT including line scans passing through the polyps. RESULTS SD-OCT findings included typical and atypical retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) detachments and subretinal and intraretinal fluid in all eyes. In the areas corresponding to the polypoidal lesions, well-delineated round-oval, sub-RPE cavities were present and were adherent to the posterior surface of the detached RPE above Bruch membrane. No retinal or choroidal connections to the cavities were noted. CONCLUSION These SD-OCT findings document that the vascular lesions in PCV are not located in the inner choroid, but in the sub-RPE space, suggesting that PCV is a variant of type 1 choroidal neovascularization rather than a distinct clinical entity as initially thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed T Alshahrani
- King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Eman S Kahtani
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nicola G Ghazi
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- University of Virginia, Department of Ophthalmology, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Coscas G, Yamashiro K, Coscas F, De Benedetto U, Tsujikawa A, Miyake M, Gemmy Cheung CM, Wong TY, Yoshimura N. Comparison of exudative age-related macular degeneration subtypes in Japanese and French Patients: multicenter diagnosis with multimodal imaging. Am J Ophthalmol 2014; 158:309-318.e2. [PMID: 24844973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare and analyze differences and similarities between Japanese and French patients in subtype diagnosis of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as determined by fundus photography (FP) and fluorescein angiography (FA), and a multimodal imaging involving FP, FA, indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS We determined the subtype diagnosis for 99 consecutive Japanese eyes and 94 consecutive French eyes with exudative AMD. The first-step diagnosis was made using FP and FA, while the second-step diagnosis was made using FP, FA/ICGA, and OCT. The diagnoses made by Japanese and French physicians were compared, and when the diagnoses differed, a third institute was consulted to arrive at a final consensus and diagnosis. RESULTS The first-step diagnosis showed 20%-30% disagreement against the final diagnosis, but the second-step diagnosis showed only 10% disagreement. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) was observed more in Japanese patients (48%) than in French (9%), and the rate of PCV with type 1 or 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was extremely low: 3% in Japanese and 0% in French. Type 1 CNV was found significantly more in French cases (53.3% vs 35.1%, P=.018), while the rate of eyes with type 2 CNV only or chorioretinal anastomosis was similar between populations. CONCLUSIONS Multimodality imaging significantly improved the sub-classification of AMD. There were significant differences between the 2 series in the proportions of type 1 CNV and PCV, while the proportions of type 2 CNV only and chorioretinal anastomosis were similar between groups.
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Abstract
PURPOSE To report nine cases of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy. METHODS An observational case series of nine patients who underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. RESULTS Eighteen eyes of 9 patients, aged 27 years to 89 years, were diagnosed with pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy based on the characteristic funduscopic appearance of reduced fundus tessellation with overlying retinal pigment epithelial changes in one or both eyes, fundus autofluorescence abnormalities, and increased subfoveal choroidal thickness confirmed by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (mean, 460.2 μm). The five older patients had been previously diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, while the four younger subjects were referred for possible inflammatory chorioretinitis, pattern dystrophy, or nonspecific drusen. No subjects had a history of or subsequently developed subretinal fluid. CONCLUSION Pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy falls within a spectrum of diseases associated with choroidal thickening that includes central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and it should be suspected in eyes with a characteristic fundus appearance related to choroidal thickening and associated retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities but no history of subretinal fluid. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography confirming an abnormally thick choroid and characteristic retinal pigment epithelial changes on fundus autofluorescence support the diagnosis. Because these patients are frequently misdiagnosed, the recognition of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy may avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and interventions.
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Kang HM, Koh HJ. Lack of polypoidal lesions in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization as evaluated by indocyanine green angiography. Am J Ophthalmol 2014; 157:378-383.e1. [PMID: 24315295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2013.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS A total of 297 eyes (255 patients) who presented with treatment-naive myopic CNV between January 2005 and December 2011 at Yonsei University Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea, were reviewed. Fluorescein angiography (FA) images obtained from the patients were analyzed to detect CNV presence and classify disease type. ICGA images were reviewed to detect polypoidal lesions. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of polypoidal lesions in patients with myopic CNV. RESULTS All 297 eyes with myopic CNV were type 2 CNV, and mean age at diagnosis was 47.32 ± 14.69 years. The mean refractive error was -11.95 ± 5.88 diopters, and the mean axial length was 29.39 ± 2.02 mm in the affected eyes. Among the myopic CNV eyes, 141 eyes (118 patients) were older than 50 years of age (mean 60.48 ± 7.34 years). No eyes with myopic CNV showed polypoidal lesions on ICGA at initial presentation. After treatments for myopic CNV, 243 eyes (206 patients) completed at least 12 months of follow-up, and 86 eyes (35.4%) showed at least one recurrence of CNV during follow-up. The follow-up imaging studies, FA, and ICGA, showed no polypoidal lesions associated with recurred myopic CNV. CONCLUSIONS ICGA analysis demonstrated no polypoidal component in myopic eyes with CNV.
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Cheung CMG, Bhargava M, Laude A, Koh AC, Xiang L, Wong D, Niang T, Lim TH, Gopal L, Wong TY. Asian age-related macular degeneration phenotyping study: rationale, design and protocol of a prospective cohort study. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2012; 40:727-35. [PMID: 22299650 DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2012.02765.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current knowledge of the phenotypic characteristics (e.g. clinical features, risk factors, natural history and treatment response) of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Asians remains limited. This report summarizes the rationale and study design of a prospective observational study of Asian neovascular AMD, including polypoidal choroidovasculopathy variant. DESIGN The Asian AMD phenotyping study is a prospective, observational clinical study of Asian patients with neovascular AMD or polypoidal choroidovasculopathy in three tertiary eye centres in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS The study aims to recruit 500 consecutive patients from the retinal clinics of three tertiary eye centres in Singapore. METHODS Standardized examination procedures include interviews, a comprehensive eye examination, digital photography of the retina, fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography using a standardized protocol. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses and stored for genetic and proteomic studies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The aim of the study was to build a comprehensive database of clinical, angiographic, functional and natural history data of Asian AMD over a 12-month follow-up period. RESULTS This article discusses the methodology and design of this prospective multi-centred study. CONCLUSION This study will provide in-depth longitudinal data of the evolution of clinical features, risk factors, natural history and treatment pattern and response of Asian AMD and polypoidal choroidovasculopathy, allowing unique insights into pathogenesis and the design of new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chui Ming G Cheung
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore.
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