Pachychoroid neovasculopathy: A comparative review on pathology, clinical features, and therapy

Optical coherence tomography angiography in the diagnosis of ocular disease

Clinical imaging provided by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its variant, OCT-angiography (OCT-A), has revolutionised eyecare practice. The imaging techniques allow for the identification and quantification of ocular structures, supporting the diagnosis and prognosis of eye disease. In this review, an overview of the usefulness of OCT-A imaging in the diagnosis and management of a range of ocular conditions is provided when used in isolation or in combination with other imaging modalities and measures of visual function (visual field results). OCT-A imaging has the capacity to identify and quantify ocular vasculature non-invasively, thereby assisting the clinician in the diagnosis or to determine the efficacy of intervention in ocular conditions impacting retinal vasculature. Thus, additional clinically useful information can be obtained in eye diseases involving conditions such as those impacting retinal vessel occlusion, in diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularisation and optic nerve disorders. Through a clinical case series, various ocular conditions are reviewed, and the impact of OCT-A imaging is discussed. Although OCT-A imaging has great promise and is already used in clinical management, there is a lack of set standards to characterise altered vascular features in disease and consequently for prognostication, primarily due to a lack of large-scale clinical trials and variability in OCT-A algorithms when generating quantitative parameters.

Role of multimodal imaging in coexistent pachychoroid spectrum disease

PURPOSE

To describe the role of multimodal imaging in a case of coexisting pachychoroid diseases.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a case of a 43 year old lady with coexistent central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) in the same eye which posed a diagnostic challenge. Fundus examination showed neurosensory detachment (NSD) at the macula along with retinal pigment epithelial alterations. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a shallow pigment epithelial detachment and OCT angiography showed the presence of vascular network in outer retina choriocapillaris slab suggesting a diagnosis of PNV. However, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) showed a smoke stack leak adjacent to the site of vascular network. Focal laser photocoagulation of the leaky point resulted in resolution of NSD pointing towards a diagnosis of CSC.

CONCLUSION

This case emphasises the role of multimodal imaging in identifying the source of leak in coexistent pachychoroid spectrum diseases.

Pachychoroid neovasculopathy versus macular neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration with and without shallow irregular pigment epithelial detachment

To compare the choroidal neovascular features of individuals with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with and without shallow irregular pigment epithelial detachment (SIPED). Using optical coherence tomography angiography, the choroidal neovascular complexes of 27 patients with PNV, 34 patients with nAMD and SIPED, and 15 patients with nAMD without SIPED were analyzed with FIJI and AngioTool software. PNV compared to nAMD with SIPED had a greater vessel percentage area (P = 0.034), junction density (P = 0.045), average vessel length (P < 0.001), and fractal dimension (P < 0.001). PNV, compared to nAMD without SIPED, had a greater total vessel length (P = 0.002), total number of junctions (P < 0.001), junction density (P = 0.034), and fractal dimension (P = 0.005). nAMD with SIPED, compared to nAMD without SIPED, had greater vessel area, total number of junctions, total vessel length, and average vessel length (all P values < 0.001). Patients with nAMD plus SIPED and individuals with nAMD without SIPED have similar fractal dimension values (P = 0.703). Biomarkers of choroidal neovascular complexity, such as fractal dimension, can be used to differentiate PNV from nAMD with or without SIPED.