Pathological myopia can induce choroidal neovascularization (PM-CNV). The potential risk factors include ageing, long axial length of the eyeball, thinning of subfoveal choroidal thickness, fundus atrophy spot and lacquer crack. These factors may induce atrophy of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) and hypoxia, resulting in vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) secretion by outer retina. The lesion type, location and activity of PM-CNV can be determined by fundus fluorescein angiography. The features of PM-CNV on optical coherence tomography include strong reflective area close to RPE with very small amount of subretinal fluid (active stage), surface strong reflection with signal attenuation area (scar stage) and flat lesion and chorioretinal atrophy (atrophy stage). Photodynamic therapy and intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs are major treatments for PM-CNV, the latter is more commonly used now. However, more large randomized controlled studies are required to explore the treatment regimen (such as frequency, indications for repeated or termination of treatment) and the efficacy factors further.

Choroidal neovascularization/diagnosis; Choroidal neovascularization/therapy; Myopia, degenerative/complications; Review