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Retinal angiopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Tomohiro Iida1, Lawrence A Yannuzzi, K Bailey Freund
1LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|August 13, 2002
Summary
Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy can cause chronic macular detachment with secondary retinal microangiopathy. Indocyanine green angiography aids diagnosis of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of age-related macular degeneration.
- PCV can lead to exudative detachment of the macula, impacting central vision.
Observation:
- This case series describes four patients with chronic macular detachment and associated retinal microangiopathy.
- Retinal microangiopathy, including telangiectasia and microaneurysms, was observed within the detached macular area.
- Fluorescein angiography suggested occult choroidal neovascularization, while indocyanine green angiography confirmed underlying PCV.
Findings:
- Indocyanine green angiography is crucial for diagnosing PCV presenting with macular detachment.
- Retinal microangiopathy can be a secondary complication of chronic macular detachment due to PCV.
- Treatment with photocoagulation showed partial improvement of the retinal angiopathy.
Implications:
- Clinicians should recognize the potential for secondary retinal microangiopathy in PCV-related macular detachment.
- Understanding the pathogenesis, possibly involving hypoxia or vasogenic mediators, is important.
- Accurate diagnosis using indocyanine green angiography facilitates appropriate management of these complex cases.