High-resolution Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography of choroidal neovascular membranes associated with age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of high-resolution Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (Fd-OCT) to image choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) associated with exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD).


METHODS
An Fd-OCT instrument with axial resolution of 4 to 4.5 microm and transverse resolution of 10 to 15 microm was used to image 21 eyes (19 subjects) with newly diagnosed eAMD. A raster series of 100 B-scans separated by 60 microm was used to study the growth pattern of CNVM and associated morphologic changes. CNVM size was determined using 250 to 300 serial virtual C-scans of reconstructed three-dimensional macular volume.


RESULTS
A highly reflective subretinal and/or subretinal pigment epithelial (RPE) lesion that co-localized with the CNVM seen on fluorescein angiography was detected in all eyes by Fd-OCT. Although a combined subretinal and sub-RPE growth pattern of various degrees was noted in 15 (71%) eyes, a statistically significant difference in the distribution of growth pattern was noted when classic CNVM was compared with occult CNVM (chi(2) = 10.4, df = 2, P < 0.005). Classic lesions had >90% subretinal growth pattern, whereas occult lesions had a more variable growth pattern. Angiographic CNVM size correlated with size on Fd-OCT but correlation was better for classic CNVM (classic, r = 0.99, P < 0.0001; nonclassic, r = 0.78, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Fd-OCT is a promising potential alternative modality to visualize CNVM with AMD. Angiographic lesion size and type correlated with growth pattern and size of CNVM on Fd-OCT, with correlation being stronger for classic lesions.
Park
Susanna S
SS
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Davis Medical Center, University of California, Sacramento, California 95817, USA. susanna.park@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Truong
Steven N
SN
Zawadzki
Robert J
RJ
Alam
Suhail
S
Choi
Stacey S
SS
Telander
David G
DG
Werner
John S
JS
Morse
Lawrence S
LS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence