Natural course of occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: development of classic lesions in fluorescein angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the frequency of conversion from occult with no classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and occult with minimally classic CNV into predominantly classic CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration.


METHODS
Retrospective evaluation of baseline and repeat angiograms of 54 eyes with a follow-up of 6-12 months.


RESULTS
In the group with initially occult with no classic CNV, nine of 40 eyes (23%) progressed to a predominantly classic lesion, whereas in the group of occult with a minimally classic CNV, 10 of 14 eyes (71%) eyes developed a predominantly classic CNV.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of eyes that develop predominantly classic CNV is much higher in eyes with initially occult and minimally classic CNV, compared with eyes with initially occult and no classic CNV. Our data suggest that the natural course of CNV secondary to AMD begins as occult and progresses to classic CNV.
Schneider
Ulrike
U
University Eye Clinic Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. ulrike.schneider@uni-tuebingen.de
Gelisken
Faik
F
Inhoffen
Werner
W
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents