Fluorescein Leakage and Optical Coherence Tomography Features of Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Pathologic Myopia

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018 Jun 1;59(7):3175-3180. doi: 10.1167/iovs.17-23640.

Abstract

Purpose: We compare the fluorescein angiography (FA) patterns with morphologic alterations detectable on spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) in myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and evaluate whether they influence the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVRI) in an as-needed (PRN) regimen.

Methods: The 49 patients enrolled in this prospective case series underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), FA, and SD-OCT assessment. The main outcome measure was correlation between FA patterns and SD-OCT features. Secondary outcomes were changes in BCVA and central macular thickness (CMT), and characterization of subretinal hyperreflective exudation (SHE).

Results: Three main patterns were identified on the FA: no (5%), minimal (35%), and profuse (59%) leakage CNV. Comparison between minimal versus profuse leakage CNV subtypes revealed no difference regarding baseline and final BCVA, CNV area, choroidal thickness, final CMT, and proportion of intraretinal cysts, subretinal fluid, and external limiting membrane (ELM) interruption; however, the minimal leakage CNV subgroup revealed a lower percentage of SHE (P = 0.0039), required fewer IVRI (P = 0.003), and showed a baseline smaller CMT (P = 0.004). Patients presenting with SHE showed a similar baseline BCVA to those without exudation, but displayed greater final BCVA improvement. CMT was greater at the baseline and the reduction also was more marked. CNV area achieved a significant reduction only in eyes with SHE. ELM interruption was present in all cases compared to 86.3% of eyes without SHE. Lastly, the eyes with SHE required more injections (P = 0.04).

Conclusions: Different patterns of mCNV may be identified in FA and they correlate with specific SD-OCT alterations. Moreover, the type of FA leakage may assist in identifying more active mCNV.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Capillary Permeability / physiology*
  • Choroid / blood supply*
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / diagnostic imaging*
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / drug therapy
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / etiology
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fluorescein / metabolism*
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myopia, Degenerative / complications*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ranibizumab / therapeutic use
  • Subretinal Fluid / metabolism
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fluorescein
  • Ranibizumab