An efficacy analysis of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for choroidal neovascularization secondary to multifocal choroiditis and comparison with wet age-related macular degeneration

Objective： To evaluate the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） on juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization （CNV） secondary to multifocal choroiditis （MFC） and wet age-related macular degeneration （AMD）. Methods： In this retrospective, comparative study, 20 unique eyes with CNV were divided into two groups： 10 patients affected by MFC and 10 patients diagnosed with wet AMD. They all received local intravitreal （Ivr） injections of ranibizumab, with 6 months of follow-up. Retreatment injections were performed based on findings suggestive of active neovascularization. Results： Significant improvements were observed in the juxtafoveal CNV lesions, and average central macular thickness decreased in both groups following the anti-VEGF therapy （P〈0.05）. The average number of injections used in MFC patients was 1.6, while three injections on average were used in wet AMD patients （Z=-2.844, P=0.009）. Best-corrected visual acuity was significantly improved in MFC patients after anti-VEGF therapy （P〈0.05）, and there was no significant difference in wet AMD patients between before anti-VEGF therapy and 6 months later （P〉0.05）. Conclusions： IVT ranibizumab resulted in good clinical outcomes for juxtafoveal CNV secondary to MFC and wet AMD, but the average number of injections used in MFC was fewer than that used in wet AMD over a 6-month observation period. Compared with the wet AMD group, visual acuity was obviously improved in the MFC group at 6 months.

Clinical features and possible pathogenesis of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome with different retinal diseases and events:a narrative review

●Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome(MEWDS)is a rare fundus disease,characterized by acute vision loss and visual field defects.Many previous studies have explained the possible pathogenesis and clinical features of primary MEWDS.However,as the number of reported cases increases,secondary MEWDS occurs in other related retinal diseases and injuries,exhibiting some special characteristics.The associated retinal diseases include multifocal choroiditis/punctate inner choroidopathy(MFC/PIC),acute zonal occult outer retinopathy,best vitelliform macular dystrophy,pseudoxanthoma elasticum,and ocular toxoplasmosis.The related retinal injury is laser photocoagulation,surgery,and trauma.Although primary MEWDS often have a self-limiting course,secondary MEWDS may require treatment in some cases,according to the severity of concomitant diseases and complications.Notably,MEWDS secondary to MFC/PIC that is prone to forming choroidal neovascularization and focal choroidal excavation,needs positive treatment with corticosteroids.The possible underlying pathogenesis of secondary MEWDS is the exposure of choroidal antigen after the disruption of Bruch’s membrane.The MEWDS-related features in secondary MEWDS are still evanescent under most circumstances.Its prognosis and treatment depend on the severity of complications.Current studies propose that the etiology is associated with immune factors,including viral infection,inflammation in choroid and Bruch’s membrane,and antigen exposure caused by retinal and/or choroidal insults.More pathogenic studies should be conducted in the future.Accurate diagnosis for secondary MEWDS could benefit patients in aspects of management and prognosis.