Differences between young and elderly polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy patients with and without pachychoroid...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Choroidal Vasculopathy

Background:

• Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a subtype of age-related macular degeneration.
• Pachychoroid disease spectrum includes conditions with a thickened choroid.
• Understanding age-related differences in PCV is crucial for tailored treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate characteristics of young and elderly polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients.
• To analyze these differences based on pachychoroid and non-pachychoroid phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 308 PCV patients treated with Conbercept.
• Patients categorized into young and elderly groups using Youden method based on pachychoroid phenotypes.
• Comparison of medical history, lifestyle, fundus, and treatment response between groups.

Main Results:

• Age (cutoff 64.5) significantly associated with PCV subtype (pachychoroid vs. non-pachychoroid).
• Elderly: higher hypertension, lower diabetes history. Young: more smoking, late nights, hemorrhagic PCV, sharp PED, thicker choroid.
• Younger patients showed better initial anatomical response to treatment.

Conclusions:

• Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patient characteristics vary significantly between young and elderly individuals.
• Age is a key factor in distinguishing PCV subtypes and influencing clinical presentation.