Optical coherence tomography of choroidal neovascularization in high myopia

Abstract

Aim: To investigate morphologic changes in the eye with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in high myopia using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Optical coherence tomography was performed in 35 patients (42 eyes) with myopic CNV. Myopic CNV was divided into active, scar, or atrophic stages based on funduscopic and fluorescein angiographic findings. The characteristics of OCT findings in each stage were identified.

Results: In the active stage (11 eyes), OCT clearly displayed a neovascular membrane as a highly reflective dome-like elevation above the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). No apparent subretinal fluid accumulation around the CNV was identified. In the scar stage (12 eyes), only the surface of the CNV showed high reflectivity, which was markedly attenuated below the surface. In the atrophic stage (19 eyes), the CNV had become totally flat and chorioretinal atrophy around the regressed CNV showed high reflectivity.

Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography demonstrated characteristic features at each stage of myopic CNV. Optical coherence tomography appears to be useful in evaluating the stage and activity of myopic CNV.