A classification system for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

• Published in: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 29; no. 2; p. 187
• Main Authors: Cackett, Peter, Wong, Doric, Yeo, Ian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2009
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Choroid - blood supply; Choroid Diseases - classification; Coloring Agents; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; Indocyanine Green; Male; Middle Aged; Peripheral Vascular Diseases - classification; Polyps - classification; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 1539-2864
• DOI: 10.1097/iae.0b013e318188c839

To describe the demographic features and clinical characteristics of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Chinese patients and define a new classification system. Retrospective review of 138 eyes of 123 patients presenting to the Singapore National Eye Center with PCV. Patients underwent ophthalmologic examination including digital color fundus photography and stereoscopic indocyanine green angiography. Classification based on indocyanine green angiography findings. Mean age of patient 68.3 years and 62.4% were men. PCV was unilateral in 87.8% cases and age-related maculopathy was present in the unaffected fellow eye in 22.8%. Average largest size of polyp was 207 microm. PCV lesions were found in multiple discrete areas in 34.8%. Formation of lesion was cluster in 66.7%, single in 27.5%, and string in 5.8%. PCV lesions were found in the extrafoveal area in 63.0%, subfoveal in 29.7%, juxtafoveal in 15.9%, and peripapillary in 8.0%. Demographics of PCV, unilaterality and frequency of age-related maculopathy in fellow eye similar to other reports in Asians. We describe a classification system for PCV comprising polyp size, location, formation, and number of discrete polyp areas, which can be used for prospective interventional clinical studies and may aid in future prognosis and management of this condition.