In vivo demonstration of the anatomic differences between classic and occult choroidal neovascularization using optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine architectural differences between classic and occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in vivo.


METHODS
Prospective observational case series.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with acute CNV underwent fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which were analyzed by separate blinded observers.


RESULTS
In 87.5% of angiographically labeled "classic" CNV a discreet subretinal lesion corresponding to the neovascular complex could be seen above and separate to the retinal pigment epithelium on OCT. This was found in only 13.3% of "occult" CNV.


CONCLUSIONS
With the latest commercially available OCT equipment it is now possible to confirm in vivo the previously proposed anatomic differences between fluorescein angiographically labeled classic and occult CNV. Classic CNV appear to grow predominantly in the subretinal space, whereas the majority of occult lesions do not. Optical coherence tomography features of CNV may correlate with response to photodynamic therapy or angiostatic treatments, as well as predicting the success of surgical removal.
Hughes
Edward H
EH
Retinal Research Unit, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, England.
Khan
Jaheed
J
Patel
Nishal
N
Kashani
Shahram
S
Chong
N Victor
NV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000473:pathology; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*