Integrative analysis of the choroid by quantifying Haller vessel and choriocapillaris parameters in different drusen subtypes

Dilated choroidal vascular channels in pachychoroid neovasculopathy

BACKGROUND

To elucidate the pattern of the choroidal vasculature in exudative pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and its correlation with the clinical course and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

The retrospective study included consecutive patients in National Taiwan University Hospital between 2014 and 2020 who fulfilled the criteria for exudative PNV defined as active type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and with leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA) or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) associated with pachychoroid features. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), FA, ICGA, and OCT images obtained by Optovue (Optovue Inc, Freemont CA, USA) spectral domain OCT were evaluated at baseline and various time points during the 12-month treatment period. The correlations between the choroidal vascular patterns, specifically those with or without dilated choroidal vascular channels (DCVC) revealed by ICGA, and baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes were evaluated using multiple regression models.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 34 eyes of 31 patients. The average age was 59.0 ± 9.3 years, and 20 participants were men. ICGA revealed DCVCs in 21 eyes, while the remaining 13 eyes did not have DCVCs. At baseline, DCVC group was older (p = 0.03) and had a longer duration of visual symptoms (p = 0.02), with a higher vessel density (defined as the percentage of the measured area occupied by flow area) of MNV (p = 0.04), higher proportion of ellipsoid zone disruption (p = 0.01), and poorer CDVA (p = 0.03). After the 12-month treatment period, the frequency of requirement of anti-VEGF injections (p < 0.01) was higher, and the risk for CDVA <20/40 was higher (adjusted OR: 5.29, 95% CI: 1.24-22.48, p = 0.02) in eyes with DCVCs.

CONCLUSIONS

For PNV, eyes with DCVCs were associated with higher vessel density of macular neovascularization and poorer CDVA at baseline, and had poorer visual and anatomical outcomes although more anti-VEGF injections were given.

Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits and Soft Drusen: Are They Markers for Distinct Retinal Diseases?

PURPOSE

Soft drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) characterize two pathways to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with distinct genetic risks, serum risks and associated systemic diseases.

METHODS

126 Subjects with AMD were classified as SDD (with or without soft drusen), or non-SDD (drusen only) by retinal imaging, with serum risks, genetic testing, and histories of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke.

RESULTS

There were 62 SDD subjects and 64 non-SDD subjects, 51 total had CVD or stroke.SDD correlated significantly with: lower mean serum HDL (61±18 vs. 69±22 mg/dl, p= 0.038, t test); CVD and stroke (34/51 SDD, p= 0.001, chi square); ARMS2 risk allele (p= 0.019, chi square), but not with CFH risk allele (p = 0.66). Non-SDD (drusen only) correlated/trended with: APOE2 (p= 0.032) and CETP (p= 0.072) risk alleles (chi square). Multivariate independent risks for SDD were: CVD and stroke (p= 0.008), and ARMS2 homozygous risk (p= 0.038).

CONCLUSION

SDD and non-SDD subjects have distinct systemic associations, serum and genetic risks. SDD are associated with CVD and stroke, ARMS2 risk, and lower HDL; non-SDD with higher HDL, CFH risk and two lipid risk genes. These and other distinct associations suggest these lesions are markers for distinct diseases.