Angiographic Review of Choroidal Involution in Eyes with Retinopathy of Prematurity Treated with Bevacizumab

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is considered a disease of the inner retina; however, there is increasing evidence that demonstrates choroidal vasculature loss in ROP, leading to degeneration of outer retinal function and visual deterioration. Central choroidal thinning is noted in children with history of ROP using optical coherence tomography imaging. This study characterizes the presence and persistence of choroidal loss angiographically in eyes of infants treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for stage 3 ROP.

The fluorescein angiography (FA) images of 62 eyes of 31 infants treated with IVB monotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. The eyes with good quality early-, mid-, and late-phase imaging were included in this study. The presence of choroidal hypofluoresence involving the central and or peripheral retina was noted. In infants with multiple FAs, serial FAs were analyzed for persistence of choroidal hypofluorescence.

The mean age and birth weight of infants was 24.4 weeks post-menstrual age and 683 g, respectively. All infants received IVB monotherapy. Twenty-four of 62 angiography images of sufficient quality reviewed showed the presence of choroidal hypofluorescence involving central and peripheral lobular loss in the early phase and its persistence into mid- and late phases. Twelve eyes demonstrated persistent choroidal loss on sequential FA until 3 years chronological age.

The study demonstrates the presence of choroidal vascular loss angiographically both central and peripheral fundus in infants with ROP. It highlights the critical role of choroidal involution in outer retinal function that could affect visual outcomes.