Optical Coherence Tomography Findings of Underlying Choroidal Neovascularization in Punctate Inner Choroidopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze findings on optical coherence tomography (OCT) suggestive of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in lesions of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC). Methods: In this multi-center retrospective study, clinical data of patients with PIC were retrospectively analyzed. Quantitative data (height, width, and volume of PIC lesions), and qualitative data (disruption of ellipsoid zone (EZ)/Bruch's membrane (BM), outer retinal fuzziness, and choroidal back-shadowing) were compared between CNV+ and CNV– groups using Mann–Whitney U-test and Fischer's exact test. Results: In total, 35 eyes (29 patients; 21 women; mean age: 33.3 ± 6.5 years) were selected for analysis. Of the 35 PIC lesions studied, 17 had underlying CNV. Lesions with CNV+ had larger height, width, and volume (p < 0.001) and several distinctive features, such as disruption of EZ and BM, outer retinal fuzziness, and hypo-reflective back-shadowing (p < 0.001) compared with CNV—lesions. Conclusions: Quantitative and qualitative OCT analysis can aid in the prediction of an underlying CNV in the eyes with PIC.