J Retin.  2024 Nov;9(2):140-149. 10.21561/jor.2024.9.2.140.

Detection of Subclinical Non-Exudative Choroidal Neovascularization in Patients with Intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration

• Hwang G
• Cho A
• Sohn J
• Cheong H

• KMID: 2561876
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21561/jor.2024.9.2.140

Abstract

Purpose
Intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by drusen, alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium, and various features of pigment epithelium detachment (PEDs) without exudation. With the advent of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), non-exudative choroidal neovascularization (CNV) has recently been reported in eyes with intermediate AMD. This study investigated the frequency of subclinical, non-exudative CNV in eyes with intermediate AMD using OCTA.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCTA images of 140 eyes (97 patients) with intermediate AMD. PEDs were divided into 4 types based on OCT. En-face OCTA and cross-sectional OCTA were performed to detect the presence of non-exudative CNV in eyes with intermediate AMD.
Results
The frequency of subclinical non-exudative CNV was 13.8% (17 eyes) in eyes with intermediate AMD. Drusenoid PEDs accounted for 47% (66 eyes), shallow irregular PEDs for 20% (28 eyes), serous PEDs for 19% (26 eyes), and combined PEDs for 15% (20 eyes). Non-exudative CNV was observed only in eyes with shallow irregular PEDs. The frequency of non-exudative CNV in shallow irregular PEDs was 38.6%.
Conclusions
Subclinical non-exudative CNV was identified in 13.8% of eyes with intermediate AMD, which does not seem to be low. Therefore, OCTA may be necessary to evaluate patients with intermediate AMD, particularly those with shallow irregular PEDs.

Keyword

Intermediate age-related macular degeneration; Non-exudative choroidal neovascularization; Optical coherence tomography angiography