UNDERSTANDING INDOCYANINE GREEN ANGIOGRAPHY IN POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY: The Group Experience With Digital Fundus Photography and Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

Macular neovascularization and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: phenotypic variations, pathogenic mechanisms and implications in management

Advances in imaging have led to improved ability to characterize variations in clinical sub-phenotypes of macular neovascularization (MNV) in Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) was initially described based on characteristic features observed in indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and was thought to be a distinct entity from AMD. However, subsequent careful observations based on confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy-based ICGA, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography have led researchers to appreciate similarities between PCV lesion and type 1 MNV in typical neovascular AMD. Concurrently, clinical trials have shown that anti-VEGF monotherapy can achieve favourable visual outcome in the majority of eyes with PCV. These learnings have led to a shift in the way PCV is managed over the past decade. Recent studies have supported the use of non-ICGA based imaging modality to screen for PCV and the adoption of anti-VEGF monotherapy as initial therapy for PCV. A focus of recent research has been in the understanding of the role of choroidal alterations in the pathogenesis of PCV. The concept of pachychoroid in leading to outer retinal ischemia has garnered increasing support. Future research in this area should evaluate the potential of choroidal morphology in guiding personalized therapy in PCV.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Evaluation Based on 3-Dimensional Reconstruction of OCT Angiography

OBJECTIVE

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction using swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) can provide insights into the nature and structure of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and its component parts, the polypoidal lesion (PL) and the branching neovascular network (BNN). This study aims to describe novel observations of PCV using 3D reconstruction of SS-OCTA, and to compare these observations with similar images of type I macular neovascularization (MNV) typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

DESIGN

Clinical case series.

SUBJECTS

Patients with PCV in either eye from clinical studies conducted in a tertiary retina center.

METHODS

Images with prespecified SS-OCTA imaging protocol were obtained and reconstructed in 3D. Forty neovascularization lesions (30 PCV and 10 typical nAMD) based on SS-OCTA were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The following 3 specific features were evaluated: (1) the pattern of flow signal within the PLs as either homogenous or showing internal vascular architecture; (2) the configuration of the BNN as hypermature, mature, or immature; and (3) the spatial arrangement of the PLs in relation to the BNN. Comparisons were made between PCV and typical nAMD.

RESULTS

All PLs exhibited internal vascular architecture in the form of coil-like loops and none exhibited homogenous flow. Small focal nodules were present within this internal vascular architecture in 70% of PLs. Branching neovascular networks exhibited a hypermature/mature configuration (100 vs. 50%, P < 0.01) and were associated with thicker choroid compared with typical nAMD type 1 MNV (238.7 ± 104.3 vs. 155.6 ± 49.2, P = 0.02). The BNN and PL were located at distinct anteroposterior planes in 81% of the eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified proliferating vasculature in both the PL and the BNN. Comparison of the configuration suggests that the BNN represents a more chronic and inactive lesion than the PL.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Updates on Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatments

There have been recent advances in basic research and clinical studies in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). A recent, large-scale, population-based study found systemic factors, such as male gender and smoking, were associated with PCV, and a recent systematic review reported plasma C-reactive protein, a systemic biomarker, was associated with PCV. Growing evidence points to an association between pachydrusen, recently proposed extracellular deposits associated with the thick choroid, and the risk of development of PCV. Many recent studies on diagnosis of PCV have focused on applying criteria from noninvasive multimodal retinal imaging without requirement of indocyanine green angiography. There have been attempts to develop deep learning models, a recent subset of artificial intelligence, for detecting PCV from different types of retinal imaging modality. Some of these deep learning models were found to have high performance when they were trained and tested on color retinal images with corresponding images from optical coherence tomography. The treatment of PCV is either a combination therapy using verteporfin photodynamic therapy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or anti-VEGF monotherapy, often used with a treat-and-extend regimen. New anti-VEGF agents may provide more durable treatment with similar efficacy, compared with existing anti-VEGF agents. It is not known if they can induce greater closure of polypoidal lesions, in which case, combination therapy may still be a mainstay. Recent evidence supports long-term follow-up of patients with PCV after treatment for early detection of recurrence, particularly in patients with incomplete closure of polypoidal lesions.

Current Trends in Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Perspective from Vietnam

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a common choroidal disease in the Asian population including Vietnam and is characterized by subretinal red-orange nodules, pigmented epithelium detachment, and massive subretinal hemorrhage. The recent focus on PCV in Vietnam can be attributed to advancements in PCV diagnosis and treatment. However, there is a scarcity of published literature and clinical data on PCV in the Vietnamese population, highlighting a key knowledge gap in this region. In order to address this gap, we gathered the opinions of experienced clinicians and retinal experts in Vietnam and reviewed available medical literature with the aim of: (i) providing an overview of PCV in the Vietnamese population—in terms of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and management; (ii) tailoring international/national guidelines for the diagnosis and management of PCV, in line with available resources and medical equipment in Vietnam; and (iii) identifying gaps in clinical data in order to guide future PCV research in Vietnam and other countries with similar clinical conditions. The present review will enable healthcare providers and researchers to gain insight into current clinical practices and the limitations of PCV management in Vietnam and provide optimal and effective solutions.

Multimodal Imaging Comparison of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Between Asian and Caucasian Populations

PURPOSE

Differences in multimodal imaging features between Asian and Caucasian eyes may contribute to our understanding of the etiology of the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). The purpose of this study was to compare the multimodal imaging features of Asian and Caucasian eyes with PCV.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, retrospective, multicenter, observational case series.

METHODS

Consecutive treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with PCV based on indocyanine green angiography in accordance with published guidelines. Demographic and multimodal imaging findings based on color fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were graded.

RESULTS

A total of 250 participants with PCV (128 Asian vs 122 Caucasian participants) were included. Asian participants presented with lower best-corrected visual acuity (mean ± SD: 0.7 ± 0.6 logMAR vs 0.4 ± 0.3 logMAR; P < .001) compared with Caucasian participants. More Asian eyes had subretinal hemorrhage (mean ± SD: 53.9% vs 24.6%; P < .001) and larger areas of hemorrhage (mean ± SD: 7.5 ± 15.2 mm² vs 1.3 ± 3.3 mm²; P < .001). More Asian eyes had pachyvessels (84.4% vs 28.7%; P < .001), choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (70.3% vs 17.2%; P < .001), and widespread polypoidal lesions (19.5% vs 8.2%; P = .005), and Caucasian eyes had more drusen (79.5% vs 49.2%; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodal imaging analysis revealed ethnic differences in disease characteristics of PCV, suggesting pathophysiologic mechanism of the disease vary based on ethnicity.

Pachychoroid disease spectrum: review article

PURPOSE

The aim of this article is to do a comprehensive literature review about the current understandings of the pachychoroid disease spectrum, describing its multimodal imaging analysis, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and current types of management.

METHODS

This comprehensive literature review was performed based on a search on the PubMed database, of relevant pachychoroid published papers according to our current knowledge.

DISCUSSION

The pachychoroid disease spectrum, according to some authors, includes the following: pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV)/aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization (AT1), and more recently focal choroidal excavation (FCE) and peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome (PPS). Each one of these entities will be described and discussed in this article.

CONCLUSION

Significant advances in multimodal imaging have enabled a better understanding of the typical choroidal changes in pachychoroid disease spectrum. The clinical knowledge and managing options about this disease significantly increased in the last years. However, it is still unclear why some eyes with typical pachychoroid disease phenotype show no evidence of RPE damage and subretinal fluid (uncomplicated pachychoroid) while others present progressive tissue damage, neovascularization, and atrophy.

Association Between the Degree of Inclusion of Components Identified on Fluorescein or Indocyanine Green Angiography in Target Spots and Relapse of Exudate in Eyes with Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Typical Age-Related Macular Degeneration After Photodynamic Therapy

Purpose

To investigate the association between the inclusion of components identified on images in target spots of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and exudate relapse in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

Forty-one eyes (39 patients) with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 32 eyes (31 patients) with typical AMD (tAMD) who underwent PDT were retrospectively investigated. Each component identified on fluorescein (FA) or indocyanine angiography (IA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), or color photography was graded as not depicted, covered with a margin ≥500 µm or <500 µm, and protruding. Associations between these grades and the dry rate (proportion of subjects with continuous absence of exudate over following 12-month period) and the relapse index (2 × number of injections administered + accumulation of exudate for 12 months post-PDT) were investigated.

Results

In PCV, the association between worse coverage and decreasing dry rates for feeder vessels and polyps approached statistical significance. With coverage margins ≥500 µm, dry rate tended to be greater than with coverage margins <500 µm for feeder vessels, classic lesions, and occult lesions on FA. In the tAMD group, coverage with margins ≥500 µm tended to yield a higher dry rate than coverage with margins <500 µm for CNV on IA. Coverage with margins ≥500 µm for occult and classic lesions on FA yielded no dry subjects, and all subjects with classic lesions or staining had recurrence (P = 0.009 and 0.050). Worse coverage and worse dry rate in PCV and worse relapse index in tAMD were related to pigment epithelial detachment on OCT (P = 0.040 and 0.006).

Conclusion

Polyps in PCV and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in tAMD were verified as appropriate targets, corresponding to the existing guidelines, and feeder vessels, classic lesion, occult lesion, and PED in PCV and CNV on IA in tAMD were suggested as further targets. OCT was superior to FA for evaluating PED.

Serous business: Delineating the broad spectrum of diseases with subretinal fluid in the macula

A wide range of ocular diseases can present with serous subretinal fluid in the macula and therefore clinically mimic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). In this manuscript, we categorise the diseases and conditions that are part of the differential diagnosis into 12 main pathogenic subgroups: neovascular diseases, vitelliform lesions, inflammatory diseases, ocular tumours, haematological malignancies, paraneoplastic syndromes, genetic diseases, ocular developmental anomalies, medication-related conditions and toxicity-related diseases, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and tractional retinal detachment, retinal vascular diseases, and miscellaneous diseases. In addition, we describe 2 new clinical pictures associated with macular subretinal fluid accumulation, namely serous maculopathy with absence of retinal pigment epithelium (SMARPE) and serous maculopathy due to aspecific choroidopathy (SMACH). Differentiating between these various diseases and CSC can be challenging, and obtaining the correct diagnosis can have immediate therapeutic and prognostic consequences. Here, we describe the key differential diagnostic features of each disease within this clinical spectrum, including representative case examples. Moreover, we discuss the pathogenesis of each disease in order to facilitate the differentiation from typical CSC.

The spectrum of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Caucasians: clinical characteristics and proposal of a classification

Purpose

To describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), also known as aneurysmal type 1 (sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)) neovascularization, in Caucasian patients.

Methods

Single-centre study in 66 Caucasian patients with a diagnosis of PCV based on optical coherence tomography scan and indocyanine green angiography. Clinical characteristics and multimodal imaging were collected and assessed by an experienced retina specialist.

Results

This study involved 74 eyes of 66 patients with PCV, with a mean age at onset of 73 years and a female preponderance of 66%. The mean number of polypoidal lesions per eye was 1 (range: 1–5 lesions), out of which 75% was located in the macula and 19% in the peripapillary region. Of the 74 eyes, 37 eyes (50%) had PCV associated with a drusenoidal neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotype (PCV-AMD) and 18 eyes (24%) had PCV associated with non-polypoidal type 1 choroidal neovascularization/branching vascular network (PCV-BVN) without signs of drusenoidal AMD, while 19 eyes (26%) had idiopathic, isolated PCV (iPCV). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness measured in 22 patients was 245 μm (range: 71–420 μm). In 51% of patients, the initially performed therapy showed good anatomical recovery (resolution of intra- and subretinal fluid).

Conclusions

A spectrum of PCV (aneurysmal type 1/sub-RPE neovascularization) can be seen in Caucasian patients. PCV associated with a drusenoidal neovascular AMD phenotype in Caucasians is phenotypically and presumably pathophysiologically more associated with neovascular AMD (PCV-AMD: type A PCV). However, this may not be the case for patients with PCV with non-polypoidal type 1 choroidal neovascularization or BVN and no signs of drusenoidal AMD (PCV-BVN: type B PCV), and for patients with idiopathic PCV without associated drusen or BVN (iPCV; type C PCV). Most patients have a thin choroid, even when drusen are absent. For the entire patient group, a moderate anatomical recovery was observed after treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00417-020-04844-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Characteristics of Pachychoroid Diseases and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Multimodal Imaging and Genetic Backgrounds

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.

SHORT-TERM EFFICACY OF CONBERCEPT AND RANIBIZUMAB FOR POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY

PURPOSE

To compare the 6-month efficacy of the intravitreal injection of conbercept or ranibizumab for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

METHODS

This is a retrospective case-control study involved 79 PCV eyes of 77 patients. The PCV eyes were treated with an intravitreal injection of either ranibizumab (n = 44) or conbercept (n = 35). Three monthly loading doses were injected and followed by retreatment as needed. The best-corrected visual acuity and angiographic characteristics were evaluated after 6 months.

RESULTS

The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity had improved from 0.86 (Snellen equivalent, 20/145) at baseline to 0.70 (Snellen equivalent, 20/100) at 6 months in the conbercept group (P < 0.001), and from 0.74 (Snellen equivalent, 20/110) at baseline to 0.63 (Snellen equivalent, 20/85) at 6 months in the ranibizumab group (P = 0.032), respectively. The central foveal thickness was decreased from 407 ± 146 μm to 230 ± 71 μm in the conbercept group (P < 0.001), and from 394 ± 93 μm to 208 ± 56 μm in the ranibizumab group (P < 0.001). Polyps were completely regressed and in 21 (47.7%) eyes in the conbercept group at 6 months, significant higher than in 10 (28.6%) eyes in the ranibizumab group (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Both conbercept and ranibizumab effectively increased the visual acuity and regressed the polyps of PCV eyes. No significant difference was found in the visual acuity improvement of the patients with PCV between the conbercept group and ranibizumab group at 6 months. However, conbercept was superior to ranibizumab monotherapy in the regression of polyps.

Latest Developments in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Epidemiology, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a condition characterized by multiple, recurrent, serosanguineous pigment epithelial detachments, and neurosensory retinal detachments due to abnormal aneurysmal neovascular lesions. It is generally considered as a variant of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, but there are some differences between the clinical presentation, natural history, and treatment response between patients with PCV and typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients. Over the past decade, new research and technological advancements have greatly improved our understanding of the PCV disease process and the management of PCV. This review aims to summarize the recent research findings to highlight the epidemiology, pathogenesis, genetics, the application of various diagnostic tools for PCV, and the available treatment options for PCV.

Clinical Characteristics of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment Response in Caucasians

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To identify the clinical characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Caucasian patients and assess the prevalence of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) resistance.

METHODS

This involved a retrospective chart review of Caucasian patients diagnosed with PCV and utilizing indocyanine green angiography with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Data collected included patients' demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment response.

RESULTS

There were 54 eyes of 49 patients with PCV; 51.0% were male and 49.0% were female with a mean age of 72.9 years. Forty-four patients (89.8%) had PCV unilaterally and 10.2% (5 patients) had PCV bilaterally. PCV was located in the macula in 79.6%, in the peripapillary region in 16.7%, and in both regions in 3.7%. PCV commonly presents with serous detachment (66.7%), retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED) (51.9%) and subretinal hemorrhage (37.0%). Twenty-nine eyes were included in the treatment response analysis, with 18 eyes (62.1%) showing persistent disease activity after 3 initial injections of anti-VEGF treatment.

CONCLUSION

PCV in Caucasian patients is more often unilateral and presents more commonly in the macular region than the peripapillary region. Serous detachment and RPED are the 2 most common findings. Resistance to current anti-VEGF treatment was noted frequently; it is thus extremely important to identify this subtype of type I subretinal neovascularization.

The Evolution of Fibrosis and Atrophy and Their Relationship with Visual Outcomes in Asian Persons with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE

To describe the rate of development and progression of fibrosis and macular atrophy (MA) and their relationship with 1-year visual outcomes in Asian participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

DESIGN

Review of images collected from a prospectively recruited observational cohort.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants with treatment-naïve nAMD.

METHODS

All participants underwent multimodality imaging at baseline and month 12 and were treated according to standard of care. Retinal specialists evaluated color fundus photographs fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography images to determine the subtypes according polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and non-PCV subtypes. An independent reading center graded qualitative and quantitative morphologic features on spectral-domain OCT. Fibrosis and MA were determined based on multimodal imaging.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of fibrosis and MA and their impact on visual outcome at 1 year.

RESULTS

We included 93 eyes (48.4% PCV). Between baseline and month 12, visual acuity (VA) improved from 0.81±0.56 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; Snellen equivalent, approximately 20/126) to 0.71±0.61 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, approximately 20/100; P = 0.007), and mean retinal thickness decreased from 471.1 μm to 343.4 μm (P < 0.001). Between baseline and month 12, prevalence of fibrosis and MA increased from 13.0% to 37.8% (P < 0.001) and 9.7% to 17.2% (P = 0.008), respectively. Worse baseline VA and presence of subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) at month 12 were associated with worse VA at month 12 after adjusting for multiple factors, whereas PCV subtype was associated with better VA at month 12. At month 12, the predominant composition of SHRM was fibrosis (82.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

We describe significant development of fibrosis and MA in Asian nAMD eyes and show that fibrosis is the most important predictor of outcomes. These results highlight the need for therapy beyond anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition to address fibrosis in Asian nAMD.

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Resistance in Exudative Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in different ethnic populations and to determine the prevalence of PCV in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is sensitive and resistant to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred fifty-three eyes of 221 patients with exudative AMD.

METHODS

Baseline data were collected on all eyes diagnosed with exudative AMD, which included ethnic data. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy was diagnosed using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Exudative AMD eyes were separated into 2 groups: anti-VEGF-resistant eyes with persistent subretinal fluid, subretinal hemorrhage, or macular edema after 4 anti-VEGF injections and anti-VEGF-sensitive eyes defined as eyes without residual disease activity. The prevalence of PCV was determined in each group based on ICGA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of PCV in exudative AMD, and in different ethnic populations, and prevalence of anti-VEGF resistance in eyes with and without PCV.

RESULTS

Exudative AMD was diagnosed in 253 eyes of 221 patients. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy was noted to have a prevalence of 45.1% (114/253 eyes) in the overall population. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy was noted in 51.6% (81/157) of eyes with wet AMD in Asians, 31.9% (23/72 eyes) of eyes with wet AMD in white persons, and 28.6% (4/14 eyes) in a small group of Pacific Islanders. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy was diagnosed in 50% (60/120 eyes) of eyes in the anti-VEGF-resistant group, which is more prevalent than the 30.2% (29/96 eyes) in the anti-VEGF-sensitive group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is more prevalent in Asian patients with exudative AMD, but is more prevalent than generally recognized in white patients. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is more prevalent in anti-VEGF-resistant eyes in both white and Asian patients, which could help to predict therapeutic response.

Current management strategy of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a retinal disorder commonly found in Asians presenting as neovascular age-related macular degeneration and is characterized by serous macular detachment, serous or hemorrhagic pigment epithelial detachment, subretinal hemorrhage, and occasionally visible orange-red subretinal nodular lesions. PCV is diagnosed using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and the lesions appear as polypoidal aneurysmal vascular lesions with or without abnormal branching vascular network. Although ICGA remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of PCV, various imaging modalities have also facilitated the diagnosis and monitoring of PCV. Recent advances in imaging technology including the use of high resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography have provided new insights on the pathogenesis of PCV, suggesting a link between PCV and pachychoroid spectrum of macular disorders. With the evolving understanding on the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of PCV, different therapeutic options have been proposed. These include intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy, combination therapy with anti-VEGF and verteporfin photodynamic therapy, and thermal laser photocoagulation. In recent years, major multi-center randomized clinical trials such as EVEREST, EVEREST II, and PLANET studies have been conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of various treatment options for PCV. This review aims to summarize the results of recent literature, clinical trials and studies to provide an update on the management options of PCV. An overall management strategy for PCV will also be proposed.

The Use of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors and Complementary Treatment Options in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Subtype of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD; nAMD) which occurs more commonly in Asian populations as compared to Caucasians. PCV and nAMD share pathological mechanisms, including pathological expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) revolutionized the treatment of nAMD. Despite being a subtype of nAMD, PCV responds less well to VEGF inhibitors; thus, photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with anti-VEGF treatment may be considered. This review aims to summarize the current evidence for the treatment of PCV, especially whether VEGF inhibitors should be used alone or in combination with PDT.

Efficacy and Safety of Ranibizumab With or Without Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a common subtype of exudative age-related macular degeneration among Asian individuals. To our knowledge, there are no large randomized clinical trials to evaluate intravitreal ranibizumab, with and without verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT), for the treatment of PCV.

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of ranibizumab and vPDT with ranibizumab monotherapy in PCV.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A double-masked, multicenter randomized clinical trial of 322 Asian participants with symptomatic macular PCV confirmed by the Central Reading Center using indocyanine green angiography was conducted between August 7, 2013, and March 2, 2017.

Interventions

Participants were randomized 1:1 to ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, and vPDT (n = 168; combination therapy group) or ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, and sham PDT (n = 154; monotherapy group). All participants received 3 consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections, followed by a pro re nata regimen. Participants also received vPDT/sham PDT on day 1, followed by a pro re nata regimen based on the presence of active polypoidal lesions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Step 1 assessed whether combination therapy was noninferior (5-letter margin) to monotherapy for change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline and superior in complete polyp regression. If noninferiority was established, step 2 assessed whether combination therapy was superior to monotherapy measured by best-corrected visual acuity change at month 12.

Results

Baseline demographics of the 322 participants were comparable between the treatment groups. Mean (SD) age of the patients was 68.1 (8.8) years, and overall, 69.9% of the patients were men. At baseline, the overall mean best-corrected visual acuity and mean central subfield thickness were 61.1 letters and 413.3 μm, respectively. At 12 months, mean improvement from baseline was 8.3 letters with combination therapy vs 5.1 letters with monotherapy (mean difference, 3.2 letters; 95% CI, 0.4-6.1), indicating that combination therapy met the predefined criterion for noninferiority as well as being superior to monotherapy (P = .01). Combination therapy was also superior to monotherapy in achieving complete polyp regression at month 12 (69.3% vs 34.7%; P < .001). Over 12 months, the combination therapy group received a median of 4.0 ranibizumab injections compared with 7.0 in the monotherapy group. Vitreous hemorrhage was the only ocular serious adverse event (combination therapy group, 1 [0.6%]; monotherapy group, 3 [2.0%]).

Conclusions and Relevance

After 12 months, combination therapy of ranibizumab plus vPDT was not only noninferior but also superior to ranibizumab monotherapy in best-corrected visual acuity and superior in complete polyp regression while requiring fewer injections. Combination therapy should be considered for eyes with PCV.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01846273.

Choroidal Remodeling in Age-related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A 12-month Prospective Study

Choroid thinning occurs in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, it remains unclear whether the reduction is due to reduction in choroidal vessels or shrinkage of choroidal stroma, or both. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes of the choroidal vascular and stromal area in 118 patients with typical AMD (t-AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) over a 12-month period. We used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode to measure the subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT), central retinal thickness (CRT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI - ratio of luminal area to total choroidal area). At baseline, PCV eyes had higher CRT (471.6 µm vs 439.1 µm, p = 0.02), but comparable subfoveal CT and CVI, compared to t-AMD. Eyes with high CVI at baseline showed marked reduction in stromal area compared with eyes with average or low CVI. Over 12 months, CRT and subfoveal CT significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in both subtypes. Eyes with high baseline CVI showed significant CVI reduction from baseline to month 12 (p < 0.001), whereas eyes with average to low baseline CVI showed increase in CVI. These differences in choroidal vascularity may reflect different predominant pathogenic processes and remodeling in AMD eyes with varying spectrum.

DISTINGUISHING POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY FROM TYPICAL NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION BASED ON SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

PURPOSE

To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of spectral domain optical coherence tomography in distinguishing polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) from typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-eight eyes in 156 patients with active PCV or typical nAMD were enrolled prospectively. Three spectral domain optical coherence tomography manifestations, pigment epithelium detachment, double-layer sign, and thumb-like polyps were estimated in all the eyes. A diagnostic test to differentiate PCV from nAMD based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography was performed. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity was validated in a retrospective series of patients.

RESULTS

Pigment epithelium detachment, double-layer sign, and thumb-like polyps were more common in PCV eyes than in nAMD eyes. When the cutoff point was set as at least 2 positive signs out of 3 in the diagnostic test, the sensitivity was 89.4% and specificity was 85.3%. The results of the validation test further confirmed the strategy, with satisfying sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (86.2%).

CONCLUSION

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography is sensitive and specific in distinguishing PCV from nAMD. From these results, the presence of at least two out three signs (pigment epithelium detachment, double-layer sign, and thumb-like polyps) indicates a positive test and is therefore suggested to be the screening strategy for PCV.

Age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Asians

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in elderly people globally. It is estimated that there will be more Asians with AMD than the rest of the world combined by 2050. In Asian populations, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a common subtype of exudative AMD, while choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD (CNV-AMD) is the typical subtype in Western populations. The two subtypes share many common clinical features and risk factors, but also have different epidemiological and clinical characteristics, natural history and treatment outcomes that point to distinct pathophysiological processes. Recent research in the fields of genetics, proteomics and imaging has provided further clarification of differences between PCV and CNV-AMD. Importantly, these differences have manifested as disparity in response to intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment between PCV and CNV-AMD, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis of PCV and in distinguishing PCV from CNV-AMD, particularly in Asian patients. Current clinical trials of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy and photodynamic therapy will provide clearer perspectives of evidence-based management of PCV and may lead to paradigm shifts in therapeutic strategies away from those currently employed in the treatment of CNV-AMD. Further research is needed to clarify the relative contribution of specific pathways in inflammation, complement activation, extracellular matrix dysregulation, lipid metabolism and angiogenesis to the pathogenesis of PCV. Findings from this research, together with improved diagnostic technology and new therapeutics, will facilitate more optimal management of Asian AMD.

Choroidal Thickness Changes in Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A 12-Month Prospective Study

PURPOSE

To describe 12-month changes in choroidal thickness after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for typical age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

DESIGN

Prospective, consecutive, noninterventional, longitudinal case series.

METHODS

This study included patients with typical AMD and PCV who received anti-VEGF therapy over a 12-month period. We used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging mode to measure choroidal thickness.

RESULTS

Of the 163 patients, 77 had typical AMD and 86 had PCV. Patients with PCV were younger (67.6 vs 72.5 years, P < .01) and received fewer anti-VEGF injections (3.9 vs 5.6, P = .02) than patients with typical AMD. Baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness was not significantly different between PCV and typical AMD eyes, and was thicker in the study eye compared to fellow eye in the typical AMD group (223.1 vs 208.8 μm, P < .01). Subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly in both typical AMD (213.7 μm to 190.3 μm, P < .001) and PCV (240.8 μm to 213.4 μm, P < .01) eyes, but no significant change was noted in fellow unaffected eyes. Reduction in choroidal thickness was associated with elevated C-reactive protein (odds ratio [OR]: 1.4, P = .04) and smoking (OR: 7.6, P = .03) at baseline, but not with age, refractive error, diagnosis of typical AMD or PCV, number or type of anti-VEGF injections, PDT therapy, or baseline choroidal thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant reduction in subfoveal choroidal thickness was noted after anti-VEGF therapy in typical AMD and PCV. Choroidal thickness changes were similar despite differences in number of anti-VEGF treatment.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Asians

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) in Asians has been suggested to differ from their Western counterparts in terms of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment. In particular, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) appears to be the predominant subtype of exudative AMD in Asian populations, in contrast to choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD (CNV-AMD) in Western populations. Epidemiological data on PCV has been largely limited to hospital-based studies and there are currently no data on the incidence of PCV. Similarities and differences in risk factor profile between PCV and CNV-AMD point to some shared pathogenic mechanisms but also differential underlying mechanisms leading to the development of each phenotype. Serum biomarkers such as CRP, homocysteine and matrix metalloproteinases suggest underlying inflammation, atherosclerosis and deranged extracellular matrix metabolism as possible pathogenic mechanisms. In addition, recent advances in genome sequencing have revealed differences in genetic determinants of each subtype. While the standard of care for CNV-AMD is anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been the mainstay of treatment for PCV, although long-term visual prognosis remains unsatisfactory. The optimal treatment for PCV requires further clarification, particularly with different types of anti-VEGF agents and possible benefits of reduced fluence PDT.