[Feeder vessel detection by means of dynamic indocyanine green angiography of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the detection and characteristics of feeder vessels (FV) of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).


METHODS
A retrospective study of 59 consecutive eyes presenting subfoveal CNV secondary to ARMD was performed. Feeder vessels were detected by means of indocyanine green video angiography using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The following factors were analyzed: patient age, visual acuity using Snellen lines and/or ETDRS, fluorescein angiographic (FA) patterns, size of CNV, and time of evolution. The following characteristics of FV also were evaluated: FV pattern (umbrella or racquet-like pattern), number, width and the location with respect to the fovea.


RESULTS
FV were detected in 36 subfoveal CNV (61%). No significant differences were noted between the presence of FV in terms of visual acuity (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.816), FA patterns (Fisher's exact probability test p=0.265), size of the CNV (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.267) and time of evolution (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.099). The most common pattern FV was a the racquet-like pattern, inserted in the subfoveal CNV from an extrafoveal origin on the nasal side after a variable course of approximately 1.27 mm (range 0.1-2.9 mm), with a diameter of 83.3 microm (range 20-150 microm).


CONCLUSIONS
FV were detected in 36 subfoveal CNV (61%) in ARMD. Only 16 subfoveal CNV (25.4%) were considered eligible for FV treatment.
Youssfi-Rich
A
A
Clínica de La Paloma, Madrid, Spain. hakimyoussfi@mac.com
Clement-Fernández
F
F
García-Urtueta
E
E
Clement-Corral
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green