Journal of the Formosan Medical Association (Feb 2020)

Management of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: Experts consensus in Taiwan

  • Lee-Jen Chen,
  • Cheng-Kuo Cheng,
  • Ling Yeung,
  • Chang-Hao Yang,
  • Shih-Jen Chen,
  • Jiann-Torng Chen,
  • Lee-Jen Chen,
  • San-Ni Chen,
  • Wen-Lu Chen,
  • Cheng-Kuo Cheng,
  • Sheng-Min Hsu,
  • De-Kuang Hwang,
  • Chi-Chun Lai,
  • Chien-Hsiung Lai,
  • Fenq-Lih Lee,
  • Chang-Hao Yang,
  • Chung-May Yang,
  • Ling Yeung,
  • Tsung-Tien Wu,
  • Shih-Jen Chen

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 119, no. 2
pp. 569 – 576

Abstract

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Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a prevalent retinal disease predominantly occurs in Asians that shares some similarities seen in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Recent large multicenter clinical trials on intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and photodynamic therapy (PDT) have shed lights on the management of PCV. The Taiwan National Health Insurance had granted limited anti-VEGF agents and PDT for patients with PCV after the approval of required data submission, especially fundus angiography, optical coherence tomography, and visual acuity. In order to best utilize these limited resources for the patients, an expert meeting was held to provide updated Taiwan consensus recommendations for the management of PCV, including initial therapy selection, assessment of treatment response, re-treatment/rescue treatment, and determination of treatment extension/follow-up schedule. An algorithm for treatment allocation under both initial and re-treatment setting was proposed. Further mechanistic and clinical studies are required to investigate the prognostic factors and optimal treatment protocols that will improve healthcare quality and reduce burden of disease and treatment for patients with PCV. Keywords: Choroidal neovascularization, PCV, Photodynamic therapy, Vascular endothelial growth factors, Wet age-related macular degeneration