Genetics in neovascular age-related macular degeneration susceptibility and treatment response to anti-VEGF intravitreal injection: A case series study.

BACKGROUND: To identify genotypes associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and investigate the associations between genotype variations and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment response. METHODS: This observational, retrospective, case series study enrolled patients diagnosed with nAMD who received anti-VEGF treatment in National Taiwan University Hospital with at least one-year follow-up between 2012 and 2020. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on enrolled patients and controls. Correlations between the genotypes identified from GWAS and the treatment response of functional/anatomical biomarkers, including visual acuity (VA), presence of intraretinal or subretinal fluid (SRF), serous or fibrovascular pigmented epithelium detachment (PED), and disruption of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 182 patients with nAMD and 1748 controls were enrolled. GWAS revealed 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as risk loci for nAMD, including seven loci in CFH and ARMS2/HTRA1 and nine novel loci, including rs117517872 and rs79835234(COPB2-DT), rs7525578(RAP1A), rs2123738(LOC105376755), rs1374879(CNTN3), rs3812692(SAR1A), rs117501587(PRKCA), rs9965945(CNDP1), and rs189769231(MATK). Our study revealed rs800292(CFH), rs11200638(HTRA1), and rs2123738(LOC105376755) correlated with poor treatment response in VA (P = 0.005), SRF (P = 0.044), and fibrovascular PED (P = 0.007), respectively. Rs9965945(CNDP1) was correlated with poor response in disruption of EZ (P = 0.046) and serous PED (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Among the 16 SNPs found in the GWAS, four loci-CFH, ARMS2/HTRA1, and two novel loci-were correlated with the susceptibility of nAMD and anatomical/functional responses after anti-VEGF treatment.

Clinical characteristics and optical coherence tomography of concomitant macular hole and rhgematogenous retinal detachment.

To study the clinical characteristics of macula off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with peripheral causative breaks and concomitant macular hole (RRD+MH). This is a bi-center study. Consecutive eyes of macula off RRD with or without macular hole (MH) were collected. Eyes in these two groups were compared with best corrected visual acuity in logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR BCVA), the presence of choroidal detachment (CD), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and the extent of RRD. In the group of RRD+MH, regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of clinical factors and final logMar BCVA. In addition, optical coherence tomography was performed both pre-and post-operatively if possible. There were 40 eyes in the RRD+MH group and 80 eyes in the control group. Eyes with RRD+MH had worse initial and final logMar BCVA (p < 0.001), higher incidence of CD (p < 0.001), PVR and extensive RRD at baseline (p < 0.001). Among the eyes with RRD+MH, final BCVA was correlated with initial BCVA (p < 0.001, CI 0.637 to 0.837), recurrent RRD (p = 0.004, CI - 0.661 to - 0.126), duration of RRD (p = 0.021, CI - 0.576 to - 0.048) and presence of PVR (p = 0.001, CI - 0.131 to - 0.035). The hole closure rate at final follow up is 87.5%.11 of the 17 eyes had preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) obtained had ellipsoid zone lining the bottom of MH. CD, PVR and extensive RRD were more commonly observed in RRD+MH. The morphology of MH may suggest the pathogenesis of MH in RRD+MH include mechanism different from that of idiopathic MH.

Metabolomics facilitates differential diagnosis in common inherited retinal degenerations by exploring their profiles of serum metabolites.

The diagnosis of inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) is challenging owing to its phenotypic and genotypic complexity. Clinical information is important before a genetic diagnosis is made. Metabolomics studies the entire picture of bioproducts, which are determined using genetic codes and biological reactions. We demonstrated that the common diagnoses of IRD, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP), cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), Stargardt disease (STGD), and Bietti's crystalline dystrophy (BCD), could be differentiated based on their metabolite heatmaps. Hundreds of metabolites were identified in the volcano plot compared with that of the control group in every IRD except BCD, considered as potential diagnosing markers. The phenotypes of CRD and STGD overlapped but could be differentiated by their metabolomic features with the assistance of a machine learning model with 100% accuracy. Moreover, EYS-, USH2A-associated, and other RP, sharing considerable similar characteristics in clinical findings, could also be diagnosed using the machine learning model with 85.7% accuracy. Further study would be needed to validate the results in an external dataset. By incorporating mass spectrometry and machine learning, a metabolomics-based diagnostic workflow for the clinical and molecular diagnoses of IRD was proposed in our study.

Bilateral vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy-characteristics and surgical outcomes.

PURPOSE: Comparing characteristics and outcomes of patients with bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) undergoing concurrent and sequential vitrectomy. METHODS: Patients having bilateral vitrectomy were classified into concurrent (requiring bilateral surgery simultaneously) and sequential (indicating vitrectomy in one eye later) groups. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared, and correlation between the first and second-operated eyes was analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred eight and 126 eyes were in the concurrent and sequential groups, respectively. The sequential group was older (50 vs. 45 years, P = 0.017), had less retinal detachment (54 vs. 77%, P < 0.001), and better visual outcomes (0.79 vs. 1.30, P = 0.021), especially the second-operated eyes. The concurrent group had weaker correlations of disease severity (phi coefficient: 0.36 vs. 0.61) and post-operative visual acuity (r: 0.12 vs. 0.34) between the first- and second-operated eyes than the sequential group. Prior intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (odds ratio [OR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.86, P = 0.025) predicted better outcomes, while post-operative neovascular glaucoma predicted worse outcomes (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.7-27.9, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: PDR patients requiring surgery concurrently were younger and had more severe diseases and worse outcomes. However, poor outcomes in the first eye did not predict similar outcomes in the second eye.

Choroidal Changes in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic choroidal changes in patients with diabetic retinopathy and identify factors affecting choroidal thickness (CTh), choroidal vascular index (CVI), and choriocapillaris flow. We retrospectively analyzed 79 eyes of 48 patients with diabetes between August 2021 and February 2022. We collected laboratory data, including HbA1c, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Optical coherence tomography images of the foveal avascular zone, retinal vascular density, choroidal flow, retinal thickness, CTh, and CVI were analyzed. Possible determining factors affecting CTh, CVI, and choriocapillaris flow were analyzed using nonparametric multivariate analysis. LDL (p < 0.001) positively correlated with CTh, whereas CVI (p = 0.007) was negatively correlated with CTh in diabetic patients with diabetes. We also identified a negative correlation between choriocapillaris flow and deep parafoveal retinal vessel density in patients with low-grade diabetic retinopathy (DR), which diminished in those with more advanced DR. Our study provides further information on the changes in choroidal structure and blood flow in patients with diabetes.

Beneficial Effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Exposed to High Glucose-Induced Damage: Alleviation of Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Enhancement of Autophagy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) severely affects vision in individuals with diabetes. High glucose (HG) induces oxidative stress in retinal cells, a key contributor to DR development. Previous studies suggest that fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) can mitigate hyperglycemia and protect tissues from HG-induced damage. However, the specific effects and mechanisms of FGF-1 on DR remain unclear. In our study, FGF-1-pretreated adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE)-19 cells were employed to investigate. Results indicate that FGF-1 significantly attenuated HG-induced oxidative stress, including reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, protein carbonyl content, and lipid peroxidation. FGF-1 also modulated the expression of oxidative and antioxidative enzymes. Mechanistic investigations showed that HG induced high endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and upregulated specific proteins associated with apoptosis. FGF-1 effectively alleviated ER stress, reduced apoptosis, and restored autophagy through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of the rapamycin signaling pathway. We observed that the changes induced by HG were dose-dependently reversed by FGF-1. Higher concentrations of FGF-1 (5 and 10 ng/mL) exhibited increased effectiveness in mitigating HG-induced damage, reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study underscores the promising potential of FGF-1 as a safeguard against DR. FGF-1 emerges as a formidable intervention, attenuating oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis, while concurrently promoting autophagy. This multifaceted impact positions FGF-1 as a compelling candidate for alleviating retinal cell damage in the complex pathogenesis of DR.

Lamellar macular hole in highly myopic eyes and insights into its development, evolution, and treatment: a mini-review.

Lamellar macular holes (LMHs) are a manifestation of myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM). Owing to the complex and multidirectional traction force in the elongated eyeball, the clinical features, development, evolution, and treatment algorithms of LMH in highly myopic eyes may differ from those of idiopathic LMH or MTM in general. This review aimed to specifically explore the LMHs in highly myopic eyes. Several developmental processes of LMH and their association with macular retinoschisis have been demonstrated, with the tractional component identified in all processes. Epiretinal proliferation was more prevalent and more extensive in LMHs in highly myopic eyes than in idiopathic LMHs. LMHs in highly myopic eyes may remain stable or progress to foveal detachment and full-thickness macular hole with or without retinal detachment. The predictive factors associated with disease progression were summarized to facilitate monitoring and guide surgical intervention. The treatment of LMHs in highly myopic eyes was based on an algorithm for treating myopic tractional maculopathy, including gas tamponade, pars plana vitrectomy, macular buckling, and a combination of vitrectomy and macular buckling. New internal limiting membrane (ILM) manipulation techniques such as fovea-sparing ILM peeling or fovea-sparing ILM peeling combined with ILM flap insertion could reduce the risk of developing iatrogenic full-thickness macular holes postoperatively. Further research should focus on the treatment of LMH in highly myopic eyes.

BROAD VITREOMACULAR ATTACHMENT-INDUCED MACULAR HOLE: Structural Changes and Surgical Outcome.

PURPOSE: This study aims to describe the structural changes and surgical outcomes of full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) induced by vitreomacular traction with broad vitreomacular attachment (VMA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of idiopathic FTMHs from October 2010 to May 2022 was conducted. Patients with FTMHs and no retinal detachment (RD) induced by broad VMA (the study group) were compared with a control group consisting of typical FTMHs with focal VMA. RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes had broad VMA-associated FTMH, among which seven eyes (22%) were with concurrent RD. Among the total of 24 cases without RD, 8 (33%) exhibited schisis. The incidence of lamellar holes associated epithelial proliferation and multiple membrane traction was significantly higher in the study group. One hundred percent FTMH closure was observed postoperatively in both groups. Although the postoperative visual acuity was not significantly different, the study group showed a greater ellipsoid zone disruption length. CONCLUSION: Broad VMA-induced FTMHs are characterized by diverse macular structural changes, including schisis and macular detachment. These FTMHs are associated with a higher incidence of lamellar holes associated epithelial proliferation and multiple membrane traction. Surgical outcomes for FTMHs induced by broad VMA are similar to those induced by typical focal VMA, with both groups demonstrating a 100% hole-closure rate.

Vitreomacular traction in diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: Vitreomacular traction (VMT) has unique presentations in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and clinical course of VMT in DR. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series. METHODS: Thirty eyes from 30 patients with DR and concurrent VMT were retrospectively enrolled. Baseline and final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics were reported. Linear regression models were used to analyze the correlating factors for visual outcome. RESULTS: Of the 30 eyes, a thickened posterior hyaloid membrane was noted in all cases and multi-layered traction from different directions in 14 eyes (46.7%). Twenty-one eyes (70%) had tractional macular retinoschisis, seven (23.3%) had foveal detachment, five (16.7%) had a lamellar macular hole, and three (10%) had a full-thickness macular hole, including two with macular hole retinal detachment. Three eyes had spontaneous release of the VMT within 3 months of observation. For the remaining 27 eyes receiving operations, the VMT, full-thickness macular hole, and serous foveal detachment all resolved postoperatively with residual macular schisis in 6 eyes (22.2%) only. None of the baseline OCT characteristics were associated with postoperative BCVA (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: VMT in DR had a thickened posterior hyaloid, and many of them had multi-layered traction and/or concurrent macular retinoschisis. Lamellar macular hole, full-thickness macular hole, or concurrent retinal detachment may also occur. Spontaneous resolution of VMT rarely occurred, and those who underwent operation for VMT had improved vision and macular structures with resolution of the macular hole and retinal detachment.

Association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and development of age-related macular degeneration-A 10-year retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the associations between development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and regular use of aspirin or non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NA-NSAIDs). METHODS: We retrospectively recruited individuals who received ≥28-day prescriptions of aspirin or NA-NSAIDs exclusively between 2008 and 2017 in one tertiary center as regular users. Non-regular users were free from regular use of any anti-inflammatory drugs and were matched to regular users in terms of age, sex, and visit date at a ratio of 1-4:1. The aspirin cohort included 36,771 regular users and 110,808 matched non-regular users, while the NA-NSAID cohort included 59,569 regular users and 179,732 matched non-regular users. Stratified multivariate Cox regression analyses with adjustment for systemic confounding factors were performed for the development of AMD and neovascular AMD. RESULTS: In the aspirin cohort, the adjusted hazard ratios of aspirin use for AMD in the whole cohort, individuals without cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and those with CVDs were 0.664, 0.618, and 0.702, respectively (P < 0.0001 for all), while those of aspirin use for neovascular AMD were 0.486, 0.313, and 0.584 (P < 0.05 for all), respectively. In the NA-NSAID cohort, regular use of NA-NSAIDs was associated with a decreased risk of AMD (hazard ratio = 0.823, P < 0.0001) and neovascular AMD (hazard ratio = 0.720, P = 0.040) only in people without arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: Regular use of aspirin or NA-NSAIDs had protective effects on AMD and neovascular AMD. The effect of aspirin was observed in all patients, while the effect of NA-NSAIDs was observed only in people without arthritis.

Long-Term Change in Renal Function After Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema: A 2-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the longitudinal changes in renal function and associated factors after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) administration in diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: A total of 108 patients who had received intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept for DME and had follow-up visits for at least 2 years in one hospital were retrospectively enrolled. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and during the follow-up period and receipt of any renal replacement therapy were recorded. Linear regression and Cox regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with eGFR decline and renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: After intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment, eGFR showed a mean decline of -10.4 ± 23.2% and -16.5 ± 26.4% at months 12 and 24, respectively. Patients in the eGFR > 120 mL/min and 15-30 mL/min groups had the greatest decline (-32.0 ± 20.6% and -37.4 ± 30.9%, respectively) while those in the 61-90 mL/min group had the smallest decline (-4.3 ± 19.7%) in eGFR after the 2-year treatment. One out of 52 patients (1.9%) receiving ranibizumab and five out of 56 patients (8.9%) receiving aflibercept started hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis within the 2-year follow-up period (P = 0.21). Baseline eGFR correlated with renal replacement therapy after intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment (hazard ratio = 0.879 per increase of 1 in eGFR, P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: In DME patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment, a persistent decline in eGFR was observed during the 2-year treatment course. Patients with extremely high or low eGFR had greater eGFR decline, and those with poor baseline eGFR tended to require dialysis after intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment.

STREPTOCOCCUS SUIS ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN A PATIENT WITH MENINGITIS.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus suis is a major porcine pathogen that can cause severe systemic infection in humans. The common clinical features include meningitis, septicemia, purulent arthritis, and oftentimes deafness. However, ocular inflammation is very rare. METHODS: We report the case of endogenous endophthalmitis, meningitis, and septicemia caused by S. suis. The patient received 2 months of systemic antibiotics therapy, intravitreal vancomycin, and vitrectomy combining phacoemulsification with intraocular lens without silicone oil-filled. RESULTS: The result with the best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 on the left eye and 20/25 on the right eye. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the rare presentation of endogenous endophthalmitis in a patient with meningitis due to S. suis. In patients presenting with endophthalmitis and meningitis, S. suis should be considered, especially if prominent and early visual acuity impairment is present.

Refining vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is the main treatment modality for patients with severe diabetic retinopathy. With the development of systems for microincision, wide-angle viewing, digitally assisted visualization, and intraoperative optical coherence tomography, contemporary PPV for diabetic retinopathy has been performed on a wider range of indications than previously considered. In this article, we reviewed, in conjunction with our collective experiences with Asian patients, the applications of new technologies for PPV in eyes with diabetic retinopathy and highlighted several important procedures and entities not generally reiterated in the literature, in order for vitreoretinal surgeons to optimize their approaches when facing the challenges imposed by the complications in diabetic eyes.

Characteristics and outcomes of full-thickness macular holes created during vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features, management, and prognosis of full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) inadvertently created during vitrectomy for eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and fibrovascular proliferation (FVP). METHODS: Eyes with PDR and FVP that had intraoperatively created FTMHs were retrospectively collected as the study group, and age- and sex-matched subjects with PDR and FVP who did not have intraoperative FTMHs were selected as the control group. Fundus abnormalities, optical coherence tomography (OCT) features, and anatomical and functional outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of 11 patients (5 male and 6 female) were identified as the study group. Follow-up duration was 36.8 ± 47.2 months. FTMHs were managed by ILM peeling or the inverted ILM flap technique. Anatomical success and MH closure were achieved in 100% of eyes in the study group. In comparison to the control group, the study group had a higher proportion of condensed prefoveal tissue (63.6% vs. 22.7%, p = 0.028), and a higher ratio of silicone oil tamponade (63.6% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.014), whereas there were no differences in preoperative and final BCVA, and the severity, activity, and locations of FVP between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Condensed prefoveal tissue was a risk factor of FTMHs created during operation for eyes with PDR and FVP. The ILM peeling or the inverted ILM flap technique may be beneficial for the treatment with favorable anatomical and functional outcomes.

Multimodel Imaging Evidence of Traction Component in Lamellar Macular Hole with Epiretinal Proliferation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of epiretinal traction in idiopathic lamellar macular hole (LMH) with or without lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP). METHODS: A retrospective consecutive case series included 108 eyes diagnosed with LMH in a single tertiary referral center. Epiretinal traction was determined by the presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), attached posterior hyaloid, or vascular traction with multimodal imaging studies and intraoperative findings in those received surgical interventions. RESULTS: The 53 LMHs with LHEP had similar age, refraction, initial, and final visual acuity to the 55 LMHs without LHEP. Both groups exhibited high incidences of vascular traction (with and without LHEP: 92% and 84%, p = 0.36, respectively) and ERM and/or attached posterior hyaloid (both 100%, p = 1.00). The vision improved 10.5 and 14 ETDRS letters (p = 0.60) in the 30 eyes with and 19 eyes without LHEP that underwent vitrectomy. Vascular tractions released postoperatively in 88% and 100% of LMHs with and without LHEP, respectively (p = 0.27). The LMH, ERM foveoschisis, and mixed subtypes exhibited epiretinal traction in 100% of cases in all subtypes (p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that epiretinal traction, evaluated by multimodal imaging, is the norm rather than the exception in LMHs showing LHEP. The presence of tractional forces should be taken into consideration when treatment was planned in LMHs.

Vitreoretinal Interface Changes After Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Highly Myopic Eyes: A Real-World Study.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate changes in the vitreoretinal interface after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) treated with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF in a single-center were retrospectively reviewed. Fundus abnormalities and features of optical computed tomography were studied. RESULTS: A total of 295 eyes from 254 patients were recruited to the study. Prevalence of myopic macular retinoschisis (MRS) was 25.4%, and the rates of progression and onset of MRS were 75.9% and 16.2%, respectively. Outer retinal schisis (ß = 8.586, p = 0.003) and lamellar macular hole (LMH) (ß = 5.015, p = 0.043) at baseline were identified risk factors for progression and onset of MRS, whereas male sex (ß = 9.000, p = 0.039) and outer retinal schisis at baseline (ß = 5.250, p = 0.010) were risk factors for MRS progression. Progression of MRS was first detected in outer retinal layers in 48.3% of eyes. Thirteen eyes required surgical intervention. Spontaneous improvements of MRS were observed in five eyes (6.3%). CONCLUSION: Changes in the vitreoretinal interface, such as progression, onset, and improvement of MRS, were observed after anti-VEGF treatment. Outer retinal schisis and LMH were risk factors of progression and onset of MRS after anti-VEGF treatment. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and retinal hemorrhage were protective factors for surgical intervention for vision-threatening MRS.

Postoperative large intraretinal cavity and schisis with paravascular inner break in high myopia.

PURPOSE: To report distinct structural changes following surgery for myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). STUDY DESIGN: A single-center, retrospective case series. METHODS: Patients with MTM who underwent vitrectomy and had persistent large intraretinal cavities and schisis were reviewed. The pre- and postoperative clinical findings and optical coherence tomography characteristics are described. RESULTS: Five eyes of five patients were included in the study. Three patients had prominent schisis, and four had retinal/foveal detachment before surgery. All patients underwent fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling during vitrectomy and had improved vision at 3 months after surgery. Large intraretinal cavities were noted on optical coherence tomography at the first postoperative exam in three patients and 12 to 18 months postoperation in the other two. The median height of the postoperative intraretinal cavities was 704 µm (range, 445-1287 µm). Inner retinal breaks were identified in all eyes, of which four were located in the paravascular area. The intraretinal cavity and schisis remained stable during the initial follow-up for an average of 35 months; later on, at > 5 years after the initial presentation two patients developed retinal detachment and one patient underwent vitrectomy with the retina reattached postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Large intraretinal cavities and schisis can be observed after MTM surgery, associated with paravascular inner breaks. The condition can progress after a long stable period; therefore, continuous follow-up is necessary.

Dilated choroidal vascular channels in pachychoroid neovasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: To elucidate the pattern of the choroidal vasculature in exudative pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and its correlation with the clinical course and treatment outcomes. METHODS: The retrospective study included consecutive patients in National Taiwan University Hospital between 2014 and 2020 who fulfilled the criteria for exudative PNV defined as active type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and with leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA) or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) associated with pachychoroid features. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), FA, ICGA, and OCT images obtained by Optovue (Optovue Inc, Freemont CA, USA) spectral domain OCT were evaluated at baseline and various time points during the 12-month treatment period. The correlations between the choroidal vascular patterns, specifically those with or without dilated choroidal vascular channels (DCVC) revealed by ICGA, and baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes were evaluated using multiple regression models. RESULTS: The study enrolled 34 eyes of 31 patients. The average age was 59.0 ± 9.3 years, and 20 participants were men. ICGA revealed DCVCs in 21 eyes, while the remaining 13 eyes did not have DCVCs. At baseline, DCVC group was older (p = 0.03) and had a longer duration of visual symptoms (p = 0.02), with a higher vessel density (defined as the percentage of the measured area occupied by flow area) of MNV (p = 0.04), higher proportion of ellipsoid zone disruption (p = 0.01), and poorer CDVA (p = 0.03). After the 12-month treatment period, the frequency of requirement of anti-VEGF injections (p < 0.01) was higher, and the risk for CDVA <20/40 was higher (adjusted OR: 5.29, 95% CI: 1.24-22.48, p = 0.02) in eyes with DCVCs. CONCLUSIONS: For PNV, eyes with DCVCs were associated with higher vessel density of macular neovascularization and poorer CDVA at baseline, and had poorer visual and anatomical outcomes although more anti-VEGF injections were given.