The pathogenesis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is still controversial. More evidence of clinical and basic research is needed to distinguish PCV from an independent disease to a subtype of age-related macular degeneration. Not only that, there are also many puzzles in the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis of PCV. In addition to these common problems, we also face a large population with risk factors, a large number of PCV patients with multiple and complex challenges in China. There is a long way to go to reduce the damage effects of PCV on visual function. To fulfil this goal, we need make full use of the huge resources of PCV patients and turn these challenges into opportunities, and contribute the improvement of diagnosis and better understanding of PCV pathogenesis.
Choroidal nevus is one of the most common benign melanocytic tumor. The prevalence rate of choroidal nevi is 0.15% - 10.00%, which is high among whites and low among colored people, and is obvious higher in male than that in female. Secondary changes in the surrounding retina of the benign tumor, such as subretinal fluid and choroidal neovascularization, may result in vision loss. This benign tumor carries risks for transformation into malignant melanoma. The factors predictive of transformation into melanoma included greater thickness, subretinal fluid, visual symptoms, orange lipofuscin pigment, tumor location (tumor margin near optic disc), ultrasonography hollowness and absence of halo. Early identification of the related features which impair visual acuity is important for early treatment and better prognosis, and it is especially important to monitor the tendency of malignant transformation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could provide detailed information which aid in diagnosing, differentiating and monitoring of choroidal nevi. OCT and optical coherence tomography angiography are emerging as excellent techniques to investigate choroidal melanocytic lesions. The treatment modalities, such as laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelium growth factor, have been proved to be effective for choroidal nevi with secondary changes. In the future, the relevant researches should be imposed to provide more detailed information in order to explore the nature and characteristics of this disease.
ObjectiveTo compare the visual outcomes of treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab alone or in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsIn this retrospective and comparative study, 36 eyes of 36 patients with PCV were enrolled. Eighteen eyes received 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) ranibizumab injection only (simple injection group) and the other 18 eyes underwent combination therapy of ranibizumab injection and PDT (combination treatment group). Intravitreal ranibizumab was given at the third day after PDT. Re-treatment was considered in clinic examination. The minimum re-treatment interval was 3 months for combination therapy and 1 month for ranibizumab. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline and each follow-up visit at 1, 3, 6, 12 month was measured as a primary outcome, and complications also observed in every follow-up. ResultsNo complications occurred in these 36 patients during the treatment or follow-up, such as retinal detachment, sustained high intraocular pressure, retinal holes, intraocular inflammation, and systemic adverse reactions. The average times of ranibizumab injections of simple injection group and combined treatment group were (3.00±0.84) and (1.89±0.68) times respective, and the difference was significant (t=4.370, P=0.000). The logMAR BCVA of the first and third month after initial treatment between two groups were significant different (t=0.668, 0.940; P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference between them at the 6th and 12th month (t=2.188, 2.547; P<0.05). In the last follow-up, the logMAR BCVA were improved in simple injection group and combination treatment group compared to the pre-treatment values (t=3.351, 9.408; P=0.012, 0.000). In simple injection group, visual acuity was improved in 3 eyes (16.7%), stable in 13 eyes (72.2%) and decreased in 2 eyes (11.1%). In combination treatment group, visual acuity was improved in 4 eyes (22.2%), stable in 13 eyes (72.2%) and decreased in 1 eyes (5.6%). ConclusionsIntravitreal ranibizumab injection and combined with PDT are both effective to improve vision in patients with PCV. Visual acuity was the same between the two treatments in 3 months after initial treatment; however 6 to 12 months after first treatment, patients received PDT combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injection had better visual acuity than those received the intravitreal ranibizumab injection only.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of personalized clinical therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsEighty-six eyes of 79 patients with PCV were enrolled in this study. There were 60 males (65 eyes) and 19 females (21 eyes). The average age was (64.48±13.15) years old. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and/or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were measured. The average BCVA was 0.19±0..20. There were three groups in this study including photodynamic therapy (PDT) group (group A, 45 eyes), PDT and intravitreal ranibizumab injection group (group B, 31 eyes), and PDT combined with sub-Tenon's capsule triamcinolone acetonide injection group (group C, 10 eyes). Follow up begun at 1 month after the treatment. 40 eyes in group A were followed up for 1 to 12 months with the average 3.27 months.28 eyes in group B were followed up for 1 to 36 months with the average 6.68 months. 9 eyes in group C were followed up for 1 to 12 months with the average 5.67 months. Patients with recurrent or worsen lesions were followed by FFA or ICGA. Pre- and post-treatment BCVA and retinal thickness of the fovea were comparatively analyzed. ResultsAll eyes (100.0%) in group A, 20 eyes (64.52%) in group B and 9 eyes (90.00%) in group C received treatment only once. The mean BCVA at 1 month after treatment was significantly increased than the pre-treatment BCVA in all 3 groups (t=2.061, 3.262, 3.258; P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between the 3 groups (t=1.345, 0.683, 0.168; P>0.05). Compared to pre-treatment measures, the mean retinal thickness of the fovea was significantly decreased in group A and group B (t=2.239, 4.334; P<0.05), but not changed in group C (t=2.286, P>0.05) at 1 month after treatment. Thirteen eyes in group A were followed by FFA and (or) ICGA, which showed that there were 3 eyes with complete closed PCV and alleviated pigment epithelial detachment (PED), 4 eyes with partial closed PCV, 3 eyes with stable PCV and 3 eyes with worsen PCV. Ten eyes in group B were followed by FFA and (or) ICGA, which showed that there were 3 eyes with complete closed PCV, 3 eyes with partial closed PCV, 4 eyes with recurrence PCV. Five eyes in group C were followed by FFA and (or) ICGA, which showed that there were 4 eyes with complete closed PCV, 1 eyes with recurrence PCV. ConclusionAll 3 therapy strategies can stop or reduce PCV leakage and improve the visual acuity in some degree.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) vs. photodynamic therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Methods A computerized search was conducted in Pubmed, OVID, Chinese Biological Medicine Database（CBM）,China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） by using key words ldquo;polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal anti-VEGFrdquo; in Chinese and/or English combined with manually searching of bibliographies of pertinent articles, journals and literature reference proceedings. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-RCT were collected. The search time was ranged from establishment of each database to September, 2011. The search was no 1imitation in language. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),resolution and recurring of lesions, decrease or complete resolution of pigment epithelial detachment （PED）,visual extinction or blindness rate,the rate of subretinal hemorrhage were analyzed by RevMan 5.0 software. Results In total, one RCT and four non-RCTs (273 patients) were included in the meta-analysis involving 148 patients in single treatment group and 125 patients in combined treatment group. The results of metaanalyses showed that there was no significant difference between two groups in the mean logarithm of minimal angle of resolution BCVA at six months ［standard mean difference=0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.12- 0.14,P=0.84］and 12 months ［standard mean difference = 0.04, 95%CI: -0.16-0.25,P=0.69 after treatment. There was no significant difference between two groups in the resolution of lesions ［odds ratio (OR)=1.38,95%CI:0.74-2.55,P=0.31］ at the months after treatment and decrease or complete resolution of PED (OR=0.67,95%CI:0.12-3.69,P=0.65) at 12 months after treatment. There was no significant difference between two groups in the recurring of lesions (OR=1.14, 95% CI:0.58-2.24,P=0.71) and lost of ge; three lines vision or blindness rate (OR=1.20, 95%CI:0.34-4.18,P=0.78) at 12 months after treatment. The rate of subretinal hemorrhage in combine treatment group was significant lower than single treatment group (OR=0.41, 95%CI:0.18 -0.94,P=0.04). Conclusions The incidence of subretinal hemorrhage occurred in patients with PCV after intravitreal anti-VEGF combined with PDT is much lower than that after single PDT.But the visual improvement, resolution of lesions and recurring of lesions of combined treatment need further studied to see if it is better than single PDT.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal ranibizumab injection in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsTwenty-four PCV patients (24 eyes) were enrolled in this retrospective case study.All patients were assessed by the examinations of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart, color fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT). The mean visual acuity was (33.41±19.43) letters; the mean macular retinal thickness was (343.63±88.60) μm. Patients received PDT first, and intravitreal injected ranibizumab 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) 72 hours later. Treatments were repeated as a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with or without PDT if the monthly follow-up indicated that it was necessary. The average follow-up period was 13.1 months. The average treatment times were analyzed for each eye. Systemic and ocular adverse events were observed. Visual acuity, macular retinal thickness and leakage of PCV before and after the treatment were analyzed. ResultsIntravitreal ranibizumab injections was repeated (2.8±1.6) times per eye on average, and intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with PDT was repeated (0.4±0.5) times per eye on average. No systemic and ocular adverse effects were found during and after combined therapy. In the last follow-up, the mean visual acuity of ETDRS was (44.21±17.24) letters, improved by 10.8 letters (t=-4.77, P<0.01).Visual acuity was improved in 11 eyes (45.8%) and stable in 13 eyes (54.2%). FFA and ICGA showed complete closed PCV in 17 eyes (70.8%), partial closed PCV in 7 eyes (29.2%). OCT image showed that the retinal edema was disappeared in 19 eyes (79.2%) and alleviated in 5 eyes (20.8%). The mean macular retinal thickness was (171.33±38.06) μm, which was 172.30 μm less than that of pre-treatment values (t=11.96, P<0.05). ConclusionPhotodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab injections for PCV is safe and effective, with visual acuity improvement, reduction of retinal edema and PCV leakage.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the 3-year efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsThis is a retrospective, uncontrolled case series study. Thirty-two eyes of 29 patients with PCV were enrolled. All patients were primarily treated with the first conventional PDT. For the eye with active polypoida, residual or exudative lesions in 6 month after PDT, PDT combined with intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)or simple vitreous injection of anti VEGF therapy were used. All the patients were followed up for at least 3 years with the mean follow-up duration of 43.64±10.84 months. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the primary PDT, PCV recurrence rates and number of treatments were followed and analyzed. The BCVA was converted into a logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. ResultsDuring the 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the primary PDT, the mean BCVA were all improved with statistically significant difference(t=2.27, 4.57, 3.77, 2.37; P<0.05). During the 24 and 36 months after PDT, the mean BCVA was decreased without statistically significant difference(t=-1.29, -0.81; P>0.05). On the final evaluation at 36 months, the mean BCVA was improved in 6 eyes(18.75%), stable in 14 eyes(43.75%), and decreased in 12 eyes(37.50%). During the follow-up time, recurrence of PCV in 24 eyes (75.00%), no recurrence in 8 eyes (25.00%). There was 1 recurrence in 12 eyes (50.00%), 2 recurrences in 9 eyes (37.50%), 3 recurrences in 3 eyes (12.50%). Initial recurrences were noted in 4 eyes (16.67%) within 12 months of baseline PDT treatment; in 11 eyes (45.83%) between 13 and 24 months; in 9 eyes (37.50%) between 25 and 36 months. The mean number of PDT and anti-VEGF was 1.86±1.04 and 4.95±3.92 in all patients, respectively. ConclusionThe 3-year efficacy of PDT in patients with PCV was poor with low improvement of visual acuity and high recurrence rate of PCV.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone or in combined with ranibizumab versus ranibizumab monotherapy (intravitreal injection, IVR) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods80 eyes of 72 patients with PCV were enrolled into this retrospective and comparative study according to their therapeutic plan. 30 eyes of 28 patients, 28 eyes of 30 patients and 22 eyes of 21 patients were divided into PDT group, ranibizumab 0.5 mg group (IVR group) or the combination group, respectively. The patients with PCV were diagnosed according to clinical symptoms, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescent indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). The baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before treatment was more than 0.05, and there was no retinal fibrosis and scar for all patients. There was no statistical difference of age (F=0.187), gender (χ2=0.423), average BCVA (F=1.120) and central retinal thickness (CRT) (F=0.431) among three groups (P > 0.05). They had not received any treatment before. Patients received verteporfin PDT in PDT group, 3 consecutive monthly IVRs starting day 1 in IVR group, and 3 IVRs after 3 days, 1 month, 2 months of PDT starting day 1 in combination group. Re-treatment was considered 3 months later if the follow up shown no changes in fundus photography, OCT and ICGA. The average follow-up time was 19 months. BCVA at baseline and follow-up visit at 1, 3, 6, 12 months was measured, and the proportion of patients with ICGA-assessed complete regression of polyps at month 6 was recorded as primary outcome. The CRT was measured at baseline and 6 months as secondary outcome. ResultsThere were significant difference of BCVA at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months among three groups(F=5.480, 5.249, 3.222, 4.711; P < 0.05). The average BCVA was significantly better at 1, 3, 6, 12 month than that at baseline(t=-6.632, -4.127, -3.904, -4.494; P < 0.05) in combination group, and was significantly better at 3, 6, 12 months than that at baseline (t=-5.636, -3.039, -3.833; P < 0.05) in IVR group. However there was no significant difference of the average BCVA in PDT group between follow-up at 1, 3, 6, l 2 months and baseline (t=1.973, 0.102, -0.100, -0.761; P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with complete regression of polyps at 6 months was higher in PDT (76.7%) or combination group (68.2%) than IVR group (35.7%) (χ2=0.003, 0.025; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of CRT among 3 groups at baseline (P=0.651). The mean CRT decreased in all 3 treatment groups over 6 months (t=5.120, 3.635, 5.253; P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference of CRT among 3 groups (F=1.293, P > 0.05). ConclusionsThree therapies could effectively decrease CRT. IVR or IVR combined with PDT are both more effective than PDT therapy to improve vision of PCV patients. PDT or PDT combined with IVR was superior to IVR pnly in achieving complete regression of polyps in 6 months in PCV patients.