Purpose: To investigate the predictors of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear development after treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).
Methods: This prospective study included 152 treatment-naïve eyes with neovascular AMD without high myopia that were followed up for one year after treatment. Eligible eyes were classified into eyes with or without RPE tear development. They were matched in a 1:2 ratio. The areas of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and RPE detachment (PED) were measured from OCTA and OCT en-face images, respectively. The OCTA-specific parameters representing CNV status were analyzed.
Results: Eight (5.3%) of the 152 eyes developed RPE tears (RPE tear group). After matching, 16 eyes without RPE tears were analyzed (non-RPE tear group). The ratio of the CNV/PED area was lower in the RPE tear group than in the non-RPE tear group (P=0.007). The PED area was broader (P=0.008) and PED height was greater in the RPE tear group (P=0.04). OCTA-specific parameters did not differ between the two groups.
Conclusions: Neovascular AMD with pre-treatment broad PED, high PED, and small CNV area relative to the PED area has a high risk of RPE tear development after therapy. However, CNV status may not have an association.
Yasuhara S, Miyata M, Ooto S et al. PREDICTORS OF RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM TEAR DEVELOPMENT AFTER TREATMENT FOR NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION USING SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY, Retina: January 28, 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35125477/
