Unaffected fellow eye neovascularization in patients with type 3 neovascularization: Incidence and risk factors.

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the incidence and risk factors of neovascularization in unaffected fellow eyes of patients diagnosed with type 3 neovascularization in Korea.MethodsThis retrospective study included 93 unaffected fellow eyes of 93 patients diagnosed with type 3 neovascularization. For initial type 3 neovascularization diagnosis, optical coherence tomography and angiography were conducted. These baseline data were compared between patients with and without neovascularization in their fellow eyes during the follow-up period.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 66.1±31.1 months. Neovascularization developed in 49 (52.8%) fellow eyes after a mean period of 29.5±19.6 months. In the fellow eye neovascularization group, the incidence of soft drusen and reticular pseudodrusen was significantly higher than that in the non-neovascularization group (83.7% vs. 36.5%, pConclusionNeovascularization developed in 52.8% of unaffected fellow eyes. The presence of soft drusen, reticular pseudodrusen, and lower CVI values can be considered risk factors of neovascularization in unaffected fellow eyes of patients with type 3 neovascularization. The lower CVI values suggest that choroidal ischemic change may affect the development of choroidal neovascularization in these patients.