Fellow‐eye neovascularization in unilateral retinal angiomatous proliferation in a Korean population

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of fellow-eye neovascularization in retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in a Korean population and associated risk factors. Method: This retrospective, observational study included 81 eyes (81 patients) diagnosed with unilateral RAP who were followed up for ≥12 months. The RAP diagnosis was based on an indocyanine green angiography reviewed by two retinal specialists. In fellow eyes experiencing neovascularization, the period between RAP diagnosis and neovascularization was compared between eyes with and without reticular pseudodrusen. Results: The mean age (AEstandard deviation) of the 81 patients was 74.7 AE 6.1 years. The mean follow-up period was 27.8 AE 12.4 months. Fellow-eye neovascularization was noted in 31 patients (38.3%), and 24 of these (77.4%) was a RAP subtype. Fellow-eye involvement was noted within 12 months in 13 eyes (16.0%). The period between diagnosis and fellow-eye neovascularization was significantly shorter in eyes with reticular pseudodrusen (mean 13.8 AE 8.5 months) than in eyes without reticular pseudodrusen (mean 21.2 AE 9.1 months; p = 0.031). Conclusion: In our cohort of unilateral RAP patients, fellow-eye neovascularization was noted in 38.3% in 27.8 months. The presence of reticular pseudodrusen in the fellow eye was closely associated with relatively early onset.

Association between pseudodrusen and delayed patchy choroidal filling in the comparison of age‐related macular degeneration treatments trials

“…Pseudodrusen have been identified as a strong risk factor for development of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Zhou et al 2016; Alten & Eter 2015; Chang et al 2016) and macular atrophy (Munk et al 2016). However, the pathophysiological mechanism for the formation of pseudodrusen and their underlying association with late AMD are mostly unknown (Alten & Eter 2015).…”

Development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in the Fellow Eye of Patients with AMD Treated by Treat-and-Extend Intravitreal Therapy with Aflibercept

“…In addition, RAP is known to be more highly associated with bilateral reticular pseudodrusen as compared to other AMD subtypes [25], and this condition might be involved in the development of neovascularization in the fellow eye [20]. In the current study, the prevalences of drusen and pseudodrusen in the fellow eye were significantly higher in RAP than in the other AMD subtypes.…”

“…Gross et al [14] and Campa et al [15] reported that the incidence of RAP in the fellow eye was 56 and 14% within 2 years and 100 and 36% within 3 years, respectively. In recent studies in Asian patients with RAP, Sawa et al [16] found an incidence in the fellow eye of 15% within 2 years and 40% within 3 years in Japanese patients, and Chang et al [20] reported an incidence of 38.3% within 27.8 months in Korean patients. It is noteworthy that Gross et al [14] reported the incidence of RAP in the fellow eye in the absence of the use of any anti-VEGF agents for treating AMD; other studies examined the incidence after use of anti-VEGF agents.…”

Treatment of Bilateral Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation with Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: 12-Month Outcome

“…The high prevalence observed among our patients may be partially attributable to the inclusion criteria of the present study (i.e., presence of bilateral RAP) because the presence of reticular pseudodrusen in the fellow eye is closely associated with fellow-eye neovascularization in patients with unilateral RAP [45]. The presence of reticular pseudodrusen is also associated with choroidal thinning [2324].…”

“…In a previous study involving 108 patients, Yannuzzi et al [1] reported bilateral RAP at diagnosis in 26 patients. The incidence of fellow-eye involvement in patients with unilateral RAP is reported to be between 27% and 100% [2345]. …”