Reduced choroidal blood flow parameters play a role in the development of neovascular AMD

Purpose: The factors that trigger neovascular AMD are still not completely elucidated. We performed a study in order to investigate if reduced choroidal blood flow parameters are a risk factor for the development of neovascular AMD. Methods: We performed an observational longitudinal 3-years follow up study. 41 patients with unilateral CNV and non-exudative AMD in the study eye were included. Choroidal blood flow (CBF) and fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA) were measured using a compact laser Doppler flowmeter and a laser interferometer, respectively. Patients were devided into two groups. Patients, who developed CNV were assigned group 1 and patients who did not, group 2. A non-paired t-test was used to compare choroidal hemodynamic parameters between the two study groups. Results: 17 patients developed CNV, 20 patients did not develop CNV and 4 patients were lost for follow up. Patients in group 1 (16.2 ± 3.00 AU) showed lower CBF values as compared to patients in group 2 (18.9 ± 3.74 AU; p = 0.021 between groups). Correspondingly, group 1 (3.58 ± 1.05 μm) had lower FPA values than group 2 (2.96 ± 0.71 μm; p = 0.045 between groups). Conclusions: The current study strengthens the hypothesis that choroidal hypoperfusion plays a role in the development of CNV in AMD.