title: Decompensation of the retinal pigment epithelium and occult choroidal neovascularization: indications for treatment.
abstract: Degenerative changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may compromise the patient's visual acuity before the development of frank choroidal (subretinal) neovascularization. A decompensation of the barrier function of the RPE may permit accumulation of subretinal fluid and sub- or intraretinal hard, yellow exudate. Laser treatment may control this inimical process which threatens or impairs vision and may prevent or delay its progression.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*