Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for the Follow-Up of Subfoveal Choroidal Neovessels in Age Related Macular Degeneration: Features Associated With Poor or Fair Visual Prognosis

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To analyze and to identify the OCT features associated with worse final visual acuity in patients with subfoveal neovascularization treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Methods: The medical records of 26 consecutive patients with classic subfoveal neovascularization treated with PDT (at least two sessions) and with OCT-imaging follow up were retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, two groups were separated accorded to the final visual acuity level, i.e. patients with stabilized or improved visual acuity (n=10) and patients with decreased visual acuity (n=16). In these two groups, the data of the last OCT records were compared. Results: Macular edema was disclosed in 56% of patients in the worsened group versus 20% in the stabilized group. Mean retinal thickness was 390µm in the worsened group versus 240µm in the stabilized group. A fovea elevation was observed in 69% of the worsened group versus 30% in the stabilized group. Localized serous detachment was noted in 38% of the worsened group versus 10% in the stabilized group. Conclusion: These results based on OCT imaging suggest that macular edema, retinal thickening and fovea elevation are correlated with worse visual acuity and could indicate a lower response of the choroidal neovessels to PDT.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • neovascularization • imaging/image analysis: clinical