Analysis of the Natural Course of Quiescent Macular Neovascularization with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography


Delibay Akgun Y., KURT E., ALTINIŞIK M.

European Journal of Ophthalmology, vol.35, no.3, pp.1075-1081, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/11206721241298025
  • Journal Name: European Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.1075-1081
  • Keywords: Morphological changes, natural course analysis, non-exudative macular neovascularization, optical coherence tomography angiography, quiescent macular neovascularization
  • Manisa Celal Bayar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the natural progression of quiescent macular neovascularization (qMNV) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: The study monitored 30 eyes of 28 qMNV patients over a period of at least six months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA were used to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses, noting any cases of activation during follow-up. Results: Among the 30 eyes (14 female, mean age 69.70 ± 7.63 years), 21 had age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and 9 had pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). The mean follow-up duration was 18.9 months. There were no significant changes in qualitative morphological features, BCVA, or choroidal thickness (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant increase in the areas of MNV and flow (p = 0.043 and p = 0.018, respectively). BCVA and MNV area showed no significant correlation (p = 0.103). Four cases (13.33%) showed activation after an average follow-up period of 27.75 months (6 to 48). Additionally, extrafoveal location was identified as a significant risk factor for exudation (p = 0.033). Conclusion: OCTA is a valuable tool for monitoring qMNV and identifying potential predictors of disease activation. The qMNV area may increase over time, even in the absence of activation. Extrafoveal location appears to be a potential risk factor for qMNV activation.