Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Abstract

Background. Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV) is uncommon condition. It is considered to be a variant of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, but it can be also found in younger patients. Case report. We presented a case of otherwise healthy, 36-year-old women, with sudden unilateral visual impairment in the left eye and metamorphosia. Slit lamp biomicroscopy examination of the eye anterior segment was normal. Intraocular pressure determined by aplanation tonometry was 16 mmHg in both eyes. Indirect slit lamp biomicroscopy examination showed signs of serosanquinous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium. Fluorescein angiography showed a subretinal vessel network through the pigment epithelial atrophy with hyperfluorescence in superior part of serohemorrhagic pigment epithelial detachment and the inferior hypofluorescence, caused by hemorrhage. Optical coherence tomography proved detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium. Conclusion. In patients with IPCV a mild, natural course with spontaneous resorption of exudations and hemorrhage and improvement in visual acuity can be observed. There is no approved treatment at present.