What is Choroidal Neovascularization?
Choroidal Neovascularization or CNV is a disease process in which new vessels penetrate the barrier under the retina known as Bruchs membrane. These new vessels leak fluid and may bleed causing disorganization of the photoreceptors in the retina. When this happens in the center of the macula, the area that is responsible for fine detailed vision including, reading and driving, vision is usually severely affected. The most common condition associated with this is age related macular degeneration or ARMD. When we see CNV in ARMD we call it wet ARMD. Other diseases that may demonstrate CNV include Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis, Myopic Degeneration, Angioid Streaks, Juxtafoveal Telangiectasia, Choroidal Rupture, Central Serous Retinopathy and many more. When can PDT be effective in treating macular degeneration? PDT is effective in the treatment of wet macular degeneration when the abnormal blood vessel growth occurs directly underneath the pinpoint center of vision. PDT is not effective
