Choroidal neovascularization in patients with uveitis

Abstract

Objective. To determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of choroidal neovascularization in patients with uveitis.
Method. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with a diagnosis of choroidal neovascularization associated with uveitis, attended in the Uveitis and Ocular Inflammations Service of the Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology "Ramón Pando Ferrer".
Results. This entity predominated in the female sex, in pediatric age and youth. It was more frequently associated with infectious diseases, such as ocular toxoplasmosis, and a small number of patients developed bilateral choroidal neovascular membrane. The most frequent location of the membranes were the subfoveal ones, by fluorescein angiography the predominantly classic ones and the thickness of the choroidal neovascular membrane was greater than the central foveal thickness. The best corrected visual acuity in most of our patients was less than 85 VAR.
Conclusion. CNVM associated with uveitis is recognized as an uncommon complication but one that severely compromises vision in these patients.

Key words: Neovascularization; choroidal neovascular membrane; uveitis.