PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the detection and characteristics of feeder vessels (FV) of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: A retrospective study of 59 consecutive eyes presenting subfoveal CNV secondary to ARMD was performed. Feeder vessels were detected by means of indocyanine green video angiography using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The following factors were analyzed: patient age, visual acuity using Snellen lines and/or ETDRS, fluorescein angiographic (FA) patterns, size of CNV, and time of evolution. The following characteristics of FV also were evaluated: FV pattern (umbrella or racquet-like pattern), number, width and the location with respect to the fovea. RESULTS: FV were detected in 36 subfoveal CNV (61%). No significant differences were noted between the presence of FV in terms of visual acuity (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.816), FA patterns (Fisher's exact probability test p=0.265), size of the CNV (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.267) and time of evolution (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.099). The most common pattern FV was a the racquet-like pattern, inserted in the subfoveal CNV from an extrafoveal origin on the nasal side after a variable course of approximately 1.27 mm (range 0.1-2.9 mm), with a diameter of 83.3 microm (range 20-150 microm). CONCLUSIONS: FV were detected in 36 subfoveal CNV (61%) in ARMD. Only 16 subfoveal CNV (25.4%) were considered eligible for FV treatment.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the detection and characteristics of feeder vessels (FV) of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). METHODS: A retrospective study of 59 consecutive eyes presenting subfoveal CNV secondary to ARMD was performed. Feeder vessels were detected by means of indocyanine green video angiography using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The following factors were analyzed: patient age, visual acuity using Snellen lines and/or ETDRS, fluorescein angiographic (FA) patterns, size of CNV, and time of evolution. The following characteristics of FV also were evaluated: FV pattern (umbrella or racquet-like pattern), number, width and the location with respect to the fovea. RESULTS: FV were detected in 36 subfoveal CNV (61%). No significant differences were noted between the presence of FV in terms of visual acuity (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.816), FA patterns (Fisher's exact probability test p=0.265), size of the CNV (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.267) and time of evolution (U Mann-Whitney, p=0.099). The most common pattern FV was a the racquet-like pattern, inserted in the subfoveal CNV from an extrafoveal origin on the nasal side after a variable course of approximately 1.27 mm (range 0.1-2.9 mm), with a diameter of 83.3 microm (range 20-150 microm). CONCLUSIONS: FV were detected in 36 subfoveal CNV (61%) in ARMD. Only 16 subfoveal CNV (25.4%) were considered eligible for FV treatment.