title: [Focal retinal pigment epithelium proliferation as a risk factor for occult choroidal neovascularisation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between isolated focal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) proliferation and development of occult choroidal neovascularisation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The natural clinical course of 43 eyes of 39 patients was analyzed. Patients with RPE proliferation as an isolated manifestation of retinal degeneration were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 75.0 (69-94). The mean observation period was 41.4 months (6-63).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 30 eyes (70%), occult choroidal neovascularisation occurred, in 13 eyes (30%), that complication was not observed. The development of neovascularisation was correlated with the presence of neovascular membrane in the fellow eye.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on presented data we can estimate that isolated focal proliferation of retinal pigment epithelium is an important risk factor for the development of occult choroidal neovascularisation.
authors.affiliation: Z Kliniki Okulistyki Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swiech-Zubilewicz
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dolar-Szczasny
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zarnowski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D011044:Poland; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors