Punctate inner choroidopathy complicated with exudative neurosensory detachment: A favourable response to treatment with systemic corticosteroids and intravitreal ranibizumab

Outcomes in PIC-Related CNV: Pooled Analysis of Individual Participant Data

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) affects 64-75% of eyes with punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC). Although anti-VEGF agents are considered first-line therapy, there is controversy regarding other modalities, such as immunosuppression. We performed a systematic review of individual participant data (IPD) and generated a dataset of 278 eyes with PIC-related CNV from 45 studies. Forty-two percent presented with moderate visual loss (MVL) or worse. Four different treatment modalities (anti-VEGF, photodynamic therapy, local immunosuppression, and systemic immunosuppression) and most combinations among them were represented. Anti-VEGF injections decreased the likelihood of MVL (Odds Ratio 0.3, p = .027), an effect moderated by presenting visual acuity and patient age. Eyes receiving more than 3 injections were more likely to receive additional therapeutic modalities. Increasing number of modalities was associated with longer follow-up time and did not improve vision. The beneficial effect of anti-VEGF injections persisted when controlling for presenting visual acuity and follow-up time.

Two-Year Outcome of Aflibercept for the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization in Punctate Inner Choroidopathy

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is a rare inflammatory chorioretinopathy that predominantly affects young myopic women. Visual prognosis is generally good, but occurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is common and may be vision threatening. Case reports and short case series support the effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents (ranibizumab and bevacizumab) for CNV associated with PIC given their anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence concerning aflibercept, a more recent intravitreal anti-VEGF, is limited to a single case report. In this case report, we illustrate the case of a 43-year-old myopic woman presenting with visual acuity loss and distortion in the right eye over the last 5 days in whom CNV associated with PIC was diagnosed. Treatment with 1 injection per month of intravitreal aflibercept for 2 months and full-dose oral prednisone for 1 week, being tapered afterwards, improved visual acuity and resolved CNV, with benefits lasting up to 24 months.