title: Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization in Asia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article aims to review recent advances in the understanding of epidemiology and risk factors for the development of myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and highlight the diagnostic features of myopic CNV and signs seen on the noninvasive optical coherence tomography technology, which may be particularly useful for the purpose of screening. Choroidal neovascularization is a sight-threatening complication of pathologic myopia. Because myopic CNV frequently affects individuals during their working life, its socioeconomic impact is significant, especially in Asian countries where the prevalence of pathologic myopia is high.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Pathological myopia is the most common cause of CNV in patients less than 50 years old, and it is estimated that 5.2% to 11.3% of individuals with pathologic myopia develop myopic CNV.
  
  
  METHODS
  The risk of developing myopic CNV increases with the severity of myopia and macular changes, such as diffuse atrophy, lacquer cracks, and patchy atrophy, which progress to myopic CNV in a significant proportion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may contribute to the development of myopic CNV.
  Untreated myopic CNV carries a poor visual prognosis, with an estimated 89% of the patients having marked visual impairment within 5 years of onset.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-VEGF therapy is efficacious in treating myopic CNV. Although this significantly improves the short-term prognosis of myopic CNV, the long-term visual loss due to the sequela of myopic CNV including macular atrophy and scarring remains.
authors.affiliation: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (N.S.-W.C.), National University of Singapore, Singapore; Singapore National Eye Centre (K.T., C.M.G.C.), Singapore; Singapore Eye Research Institute (C.M.G.C.), Singapore; and Ophthalmology Academic Clinical Program (C.M.G.C.), Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.
authors.forename: Nicole Shu-Wen
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Kelvin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: Chui Ming Gemmy
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D047728:Myopia, Degenerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A