Retinal biomarkers forecast visual prognosis in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

In patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), the presence of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and hemorrhage at baseline are strong predictors of poorer visual outcomes after treatment, according to a study.

The study involved 91 eyes from 91 patients with PCV, with 65 receiving intravitreal aflibercept monotherapy and 26 undergoing a combination of intravitreal ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Researchers recorded best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography examination results at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. The primary objective was to analyze the correlations between visual outcomes and fluid biomarkers, including IRF, SEF, serous PED, and hemorrhage at the fovea.

Key findings from the study found no significant differences in treatment outcomes between the patient groups. However, baseline IRF and hemorrhage were significant predictors of poorer vision at 3, 6, and 12 months. Specifically, the presence of IRF was consistently associated with worse visual acuity at 6 and 12 months (P < 0.05 for all). Conversely, the presence of SRF or PED did not correlate with better visual outcomes at any time point.

In addition, no differences were found in the correlations between fluid markers and visual outcomes when comparing patients with thin versus thick subfoveal choroidal thickness.

Reference
Ma IH, Lai TT, Yang CH, et al. Fluid Biomarkers in Optical Coherence Tomography for Visual Outcome in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy. J Pers Med. 2024;14(6):574. doi: 10.3390/jpm14060574. PMID: 38929795.