Peripheral and macular polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: A retrospective comparative case series

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Choroidal Vasculature

Background:

• Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of age-related macular degeneration.
• PCV can manifest in both the macula and the periphery, potentially with differing characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical and imaging features of peripheral versus macular PCV.
• To analyze treatment outcomes between these two PCV presentations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparative case series.
• Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) confirmed PCV cases.
• Analysis of demographic, imaging, and clinical data.

Main Results:

• Peripheral PCV patients were older (76.3 vs 69.1 years).
• Peripheral PCV showed more subretinal hemorrhage; macular PCV had more hard exudates.
• Subfoveal choroid was thinner in peripheral PCV (215.2 vs 283.3 µm).
• Peripheral PCV was more likely to be inactive at follow-up (87% vs 50%).

Conclusions:

• Peripheral and macular PCV represent distinct clinical entities.
• These entities possess unique pathogenesis, clinical/imaging features, and treatment outcomes.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the pathomechanisms of these distinct PCV forms.