Retinal pigment epithelial atrophy after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

To describe the risk factors for the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) atrophy following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection treatment for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

METHODS:

We retrospectively included 162 eyes of 162 treatment-naïve patients with PCV in this study. All patients were treated with an initial series of three monthly loading doses of anti-VEGF injections, followed by further injections as required. Baseline ocular characteristics and lesion features were assessed using fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography, to determine and evaluate the potential risk factors for RPE atrophy through 2 years of follow-up.

RESULTS:

RPE atrophy had developed in 17 of 162 eyes (10.5%) after 2 years of anti-VEGF treatment. Nine cases (53.0%) of RPE atrophy occurred at branching vascular networks, and eight (47.0%) developed at locations with polyp or polyp-associated pigment epithelial detachment. Among the baseline characteristics, the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly thinner (192±98 vs 288±152; p=0.009) and presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits was significantly more frequent in eyes with RPE atrophy (11.8% vs 2.1%; p=0.028). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (OR 0.975; 95% CI 0.929 to 1.324; p=0.002) was identified as a significant risk factor for the development of RPE atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Approximately one-tenth of the patients with PCV developed RPE atrophy during the 24 months after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Subfoveal choroidal thinning at baseline is associated with increased risk of post-treatment RPE atrophy.

• Authors: Han Joo Cho, Kunhae Kim, Soo Hyun Lim, Dong Hyun Kang, Jong Woo Kim
• Journal: The British journal of ophthalmology (Br J Ophthalmol) Vol. 104 Issue 10 Pg. 1443-1447 (10 2020) ISSN: 1468-2079 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31896542 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Chemical References

• Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Coloring Agents
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• aflibercept
• Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
• Indocyanine Green
• Ranibizumab

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Angiogenesis Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Atrophy
• Choroidal Neovascularization (drug therapy)
• Coloring Agents (administration & dosage)
• Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions (diagnosis, etiology)
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Indocyanine Green (administration & dosage)
• Intravitreal Injections
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyps (drug therapy)
• Ranibizumab (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (therapeutic use)
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Retinal Pigment Epithelium (pathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (antagonists & inhibitors)