Abstract
Abstract: :
PURPOSE:To evaluate the variability in fluorescein angiography interpretation of Subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age–related macular degeneration (AMD) by three retina specialists. METHODS: One hundred fifty one fluorescein angiograms (FA) of 91 patients suffering form Subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD were evaluated separately by three retina specialists. All angiograms were viewed stereoscopically and evaluated regarding three parameters: total lesion size, leakage size from the CNV, and the percentage of the classical component in the CNV (occult only, classic less than 25%, classic between 25–50%, predominantly classic, 100% classic, other). Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation test, interclass correlation and Coefficient of concordance (kappa) were performed to determine interobserver correlation. RESULTS: One hundred fifty one FA of 44 men and 47 women were examined. 87 angiograms were of pretreatment CNV and 64 were post photodynamic therapy (PDT). Interclass correlation coefficient of 0.78 was found between the three observers regarding lesion size, indicating strong correlation, and 0.56 regarding amount of leakage and the classic component, indicating moderate correlation. Subgroup analysis of angiograms with CNV before treatment revealed substantial correlation regarding the lesion size and leakage size, and moderate correlation regarding the classic component. CONCLUSIONS: a substantial correlation was found among three retina specialists regarding the lesion size, but only moderate agreement regarding the leakage size and the classic component.
Keywords: choroid: neovascularization