Long-term follow-up of management of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angioid streaks with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor

Eye (Lond). 2021 Mar;35(3):853-857. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-0979-9.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the short-term and long-term visual outcomes in patients with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods: Retrospective, single-centre study.

Results: Overall 66 eyes of 52 patients were analysed. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years. BCVA was 62 ETDRS letters at baseline, 68 letters at 1 year, 60 ETDRS letters at 5 years and 58 letters at 7 years. At 2 years patients gained 5.7 ETDRS letters from baseline but this gain was lost at 5 years. At 5 years there was an average loss of ETDRS letters from baseline of 3.3 letters. Sub-group analysis of subfoveal CNV showed worse outcome compared with eyes with extrafoveal and juxtafoveal CNV. In subfoveal CNV, BCVA was 53 ETDRS letters at 1 year (p < 0.0001) and 39 ETDRS at 5 years (p = 0.0005).

Conclusion: Anti-VEGF therapy is effective at stabilising visual acuity in patients with choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angiod streaks, however there is a gradual decline in visual acuity observed with 5-10 years of follow-up. Furthermore, subfoveal CNV have worse visual outcome compared with extrafoveal and juxtafoveal CNV.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Angioid Streaks* / drug therapy
  • Choroidal Neovascularization* / drug therapy
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors