LONG-TERM COURSE AND VISUAL OUTCOMES OF PRECHOROIDAL CLEFT IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY

Purpose: To evaluate the regression of prechoroidal cleft, its influence on visual outcomes, and differences in visual outcomes between neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Methods: This retrospective study included 61 patients exhibiting prechoroidal cleft who were treated with antivascular endothelial growth factors. The patients were divided into two groups according to the following categories: 1) regression of prechoroidal cleft: regression group versus nonregression group and 2) type of neovascularization: neovascular age-related macular degeneration group versus polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy group. Changes in the visual acuity during the follow-up period were also compared between the two groups. Results: During the 52.4 +/- 17.4-month follow-up period, regression of prechoroidal cleft was noted in 17 patients (27.9%) at a mean of 25.7 +/- 18.3 months after the first identification. The degree of the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of visual deterioration was greater in the nonregression group (0.59 +/- 0.56, n = 17) than that in the regression group (0.25 +/- 0.61, n = 44) (P = 0.007) and in the neovascular age-related macular degeneration group (0.56 +/- 0.61, n = 51) than that in the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy group (0.18 +/- 0.33, n = 10) (P = 0.034). Conclusion: Approximately 27.9% of prechoroidal cleft cases eventually regressed, in conjunction with relatively favorable visual outcomes. Considering the poor visual prognosis in neovascular age-related macular degeneration accompanied by prechoroidal cleft, more caution is required for this condition.

Automated summary

Approximately 27.9% of cases with prechoroidal cleft eventually regressed, resulting in relatively favorable visual outcomes. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration accompanied by prechoroidal cleft had a worse visual prognosis, requiring more caution.