Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a disease with diverse clinical spectrum and systemic associations

Purpose To report the clinical findings, angiographic results, clinical course, response to laser photocoagulation and systemic associations in a group of patients with idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV). Methods All patients with IPCV attending the macular clinic underwent a complete ocular examination, and fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. In addition, a systemic examination including blood pressure, full blood count, plasma viscosity and coagulation status of patients was carried out. Results We present a series of 5 patients (7 eyes) with clinical and angiographic evidence of IPCV with follow-up of 3-6 years. We report diverse demographic and clinical manifestations. One patient had polypoidal lesions found at the peripheral retina (anterior to equator) of both eyes. Three patients were treated with laser photocoagulation and achieved stable vision; 2 patients who had no laser treatment experienced deteriorated vision, one of whom had a vitrectomy. One patient was hypertensive, 2 patients were found to have raised plasma viscosity, and 1 patient had thrombocytopenia. Conclusions The clinical spectrum of IPCV is wider than previously documented. It is a distinct clinical entity which should be differentiated from other forms of haemorrhagic and exudative maculopathy. The availability of indocyanine green angiography has allowed increased recognition of these cases. Early selective laser treatment on lesions affecting maculae could stabilise the disease. Its association with systemic cardiovascular disease and blood disorder may predispose to the recurrence of haemorrhagic events in this entity.