Long-term Natural Course of Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization

Han, Min; Kim, Hyun Woong; Yun, Il Han

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the correlation between lesional variation and visual outcome and natural course of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the patient who had been treated with conservative treatment only. METHODS: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein and indocyanine angiographic examination (FAG and ICGA) and comparative analyses were performed for twenty eyes diagnosed with subfoveal and juxtafoveal idiopathic CNV and the long-term (mean, 24.7 months) natural course was followed. RESULTS: Juxtafoveal CNV occurred in 12 eyes (60%) and final BCVA in 17 eyes (85%) improved over 1 line or remained unchanged. Minimal or no leakage of final FAG was shown in 12 eyes (60%). In final ICGA, dark rim was found in 16 eyes (80%), hyperfluorescent area in 12 (60%) and focal choroidal venous dilatation in 3 (15%). Juxtafoveal CNV had more favorable visual outcome than subfoveal CNV and the increased dark rim and decreased hyperfluorescent area in ICGA were significantly correlated with favorable visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic CNV had a favorable visual outcome during long-term follow-up period with conservative treatment only.