Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO):12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 250:Rockville, MD 20852:(240)221-2900, EMAIL: [email protected], INTERNET: http://www.arvo.org, Fax: (240)221-0370
Abstract
Purpose: Recent clinical reports claim that progression of serpiginous
choroiditis, and of other inflammatory diseases developing at the outer
retina/ choriocapillary interfacies, takes always (or most often) place
within areas of previous choroidal hypoperfusion. We have used
Indocyanine green (ICG) choroidal angiography in longitudinal studies, in
order to find out whether this is always the case.
Methods. A cohort of 12 patients affected by progressive serpiginous
choroiditis is currently being followed up in our Uveitis Clinic. Monitoring
of the diseese's progression in each petient includes ICG choroidal
angiography, repeated at least twice per year, or more often when the
disease shows fast progression.
Results. While in some cases the diseasewas seen, to progress within
areas of previous chronic choroidal hypoperfusion, in other cases (or, in
the same patient, in different areas of progression) the disease was seen
to advance in healthy areas of choroid - previously (10-20 days before
clinical changes) shown normally perfused by ICG observation - while
sparing chronically hypoperfused areas.
Conclusions. Choroidal hypoperfusion does neither represent in all
instances a prerequisite for progression of serpiginous choroidtis, nor a
clear warning for impending advancement of the disease.
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