Optometry Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Optometry, including details on myopia, optometric practice, therapy.

Vision loss in younger patients: a review of choroidal neovascularization.

Miller DG, Singerman LJ

Retina Associates of Cleveland, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio 44122, USA. dmiller@retina-assoc.com

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a common cause of vision loss in patients <50 years of age. In these patients, CNV is often the result of pathologic myopia, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, angioid streaks, or idiopathic causes. Rarely, CNV is seen in children, usually in association with inherited macular dystrophies such as Best's disease (vitelliform macular dystrophy) or drusen of the optic nerve. This article discusses the role of optometrists in the detection and management of CNV. Untreated CNV can cause rapid deterioration of central vision and is associated with a poor prognosis. Optometrists may be able to improve the prognosis of younger patients with CNV by recognizing the signs, symptoms, and risk factors for CNV and promptly referring patients with suspected CNV to a retina specialist. They can also help patients by providing long-term support and rehabilitation. Recent treatment advances, such as the availability of verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland) therapy, that are applicable to younger patients with CNV have increased the importance of early detection of CNV and prompt referral of patients to a specialist who can treat CNV.

Published 15 May 2006 in Optom Vis Sci, 83(5): 316-25.
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