Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Taiwanese patients

Abstract

Background and objective: To investigate the incidence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in patients with presumed neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in eyes with PCV and neovascular AMD was also evaluated.

Patients and methods: The medical records of 100 patients with neovascular AMD diagnosed according to ICGA findings were reviewed. Patients who underwent PDT were scheduled for follow-up appointments every 2 months.

Results: Forty-nine (49.0%) and 51 (51.0%) patients were diagnosed as having PCV and neovascular AMD, respectively. The mean age of presentation was younger in the PCV group than in the neovascular AMD group (63.6 vs 69.7 years, respectively; P = .002). There were 35 men (71.4%) in the PCV group and 37 men (72.5%) in the neovascular AMD group. Seventeen patients (33.3%) with neovascular AMD had bilateral involvement compared with only 4 patients (8.2%) with PCV (P = .004). Twenty eyes with PCV and 22 eyes with neovascular AMD received one PDT treatment. After PDT, 10 eyes (50%) with PCV and 11 eyes (50%) with neovascular AMD experienced visual improvement.

Conclusion: PCV is not uncommon in Taiwanese patients diagnosed as having neovascular AMD by ICGA and these patients have a younger age of onset, male predominance, unilateral involvement, and macular polyps. Both PCV and neovascular AMD can achieve favorable visual improvement following PDT with verteporfin.