LONG-TERM CHANGES IN CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN EYES WITH TYPE 3 MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) in eyes with Type 3 macular neovascularization that underwent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Methods: This retrospective study was performed with 47 patients diagnosed with Type 3 macular neovascularization and treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. All the patients initially received three loading injections. The SCT was compared at diagnosis, 3 months, 12 months, and at the final follow-up visit. The velocity of changes in SCT was also compared between each period. Results: The mean follow-up period was 52.1 +/- 11.0 months. The mean SCT was 143.3 +/- 51.2 mu m at diagnosis, and it had significantly decreased to 128.6 +/- 47.4 mu m at 3 months (P < 0.001), 123.2 +/- 45.7 mu m at 12 months (P < 0.001), and 110.0 +/- 43.0 mu m at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean velocity of the decrease in SCT was 4.9 +/- 3.9 mu m per month during the first 3 months, 0.6 +/- 1.2 mu m per month between the 3rd and the 12th months, and 0.3 +/- 0.3 mu m per month between the 12th month and the final follow-up. The velocity of the decrease was significantly greater during the first 3 months than during the 3rd to 12th month (P < 0.001) and 12th month to final follow-up (P < 0.001) periods. The difference was not significant between the 3rd to 12th month and 12th months to final follow-up (P = 0.836) periods. Conclusion: Subfoveal choroidal thickness continuously decreased over time, with a significant decrease of 23% noted in eyes with Type 3 macular neovascularization. The thickness rapidly decreased during the initial loading phase. Subsequently, a continuous but gradual decrease in the thickness was noted.