Advanced quantitative analysis of the sub-retinal pigment epithelial space in recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract

To quantitatively evaluate changes in the sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) space and determine the association with recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty-two eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept for treatment-naïve neovascular AMD were studied retrospectively. The sub-RPE area, volume, and central retinal thickness (CRT) were evaluated 1 and 2 months after the loading phase using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Recurrence was defined as newly detected neovascular activity during the 6 months after the loading phase. In eyes with recurrent AMD, the sub-RPE area increased significantly (P = 0.036) from 1 to 2 months after the loading phase and the sub-RPE volume increased marginally (P = 0.06). Subgroup analysis showed significant (P = 0.008 and P = 0.016, respectively) increases in the sub-RPE area and volume in typical AMD. In eyes with no recurrence, no significant changes occurred in the two parameters. No significant CRT changes occurred in eyes with or without a recurrence. A quantitative analysis demonstrated an increased likelihood of the sub-RPE space shortly after the loading phase in eyes with recurrent AMD; no changes occurred in eyes without a recurrence. These early changes in the sub-RPE space could indicate disease activity and are valuable for predicting recurrences of neovascular AMD.

• Authors: Mariko Sasaki, Yu Kato, Kaoru Fujinami, Toshiaki Hirakata, Kazushige Tsunoda, Ken Watanabe, Kunihiko Akiyama, Toru Noda
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 12 Issue 11 Pg. e0186955 ( 2017) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29095879 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Recurrence
• Retinal Pigment Epithelium (pathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Wet Macular Degeneration (pathology)