The natural history of serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment
Shirakashi, A.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 96(5): 677-682
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 1377868 Document Number: 392628
The natural history of 25 eyes of 21 patients with serous retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) within the vascular arcade was retrospectively studied to clarify the risk factors for development of choroidal neovascular membranes (NVM) from PED (mean age 55.8 +/- 10.4 years; mean follow-up 18.8 +/- 10.3 months). During the follow-up period, 6 eyes (24%) developed NVM. The significant risk factors for NVM development at the first visit were: older patient age (greater than 60 years): larger PED size (greater than 1 disc diameter): presence of PED in the fovea. Eyes with sensory retinal detachment that did not decrease during the follow-up had a significant high risk for NVM development. Eyes with NVM development showed significantly worse visual prognosis as compared to those with no NVM development. Life-table analysis (Kaplan-Meier method) showed that the incidence of developing NVM was 8% at 3 months, 16% at 6 months, and 24% at 9 months. These results suggested that the size and location of PED and clinical course of sensory retinal detachment in addition to the patient age may be important determinants of the prognosis of PED.