Macular Neovascularization in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review of OCT Angiography-based Assessments and Challenges in Standardization.
Cristina Novarese, Chinmayi Vyas, Alessandro Berni et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated methodologies for assessing macular neovascularization (MNV) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using OCT angiography (OCTA). It included 155 studies with 9025 patients and highlighted significant methodological heterogeneity in imaging and analysis protocols, which hampers reproducibility. The review emphasizes the need for standardized protocols to enhance clinical utility.
Key findings
- Included 155 studies with 9025 patients and 9669 eyes evaluated for MNV in nAMD.
- MNV subtypes identified were type 1 (5059 eyes), type 2 (973 eyes), type 3 (321 eyes), and mixed lesions (138 eyes).
- OCTA devices varied, with 86 studies using spectral-domain and 64 using swept-source systems.
- Substantial variability in segmentation strategies and artifact management was noted across studies.
Why it matters
Accurate assessment of MNV is crucial for understanding disease activity and guiding treatment in age-related macular degeneration. The variability in OCTA methodologies can lead to inconsistent results, affecting clinical decision-making and research outcomes.