The prechoroidal cleft in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

The prechoroidal cleft is a lenticular, hypo-reflective space on optical coherence tomography imaging, located between a band of fibrovascular material underneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch's membrane. It occurs in 8%–22% of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) eyes, most often with macular neovascularization (MNV) type 1 and 3, and less often with MNV type 2 or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. The presence of a prechoroidal cleft is associated with poor visual prognosis, some studies report more frequent occurrence of RPE tears and subretinal haemorrhages. Eyes with a prechoroidal cleft require more frequent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections to treat the nAMD and more often require a switch to other anti-VEGF medication. Clinicians should be aware of the prechoroidal cleft for diagnostic and prognostic reasons, as it may be misunderstood for other (subretinal) fluid or even a choroidal lesion.