The presence of Pigment Epithelial Detachments (PEDs) in neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD), Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) and idiopathic Poplypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (iPCV) can present a diagnostic challenge in the elderly population; despite detailed diagnostic testing to differentiate these three conditions, misdiagnosis and mistreatment still occurs. One potential way of differentiating these three conditions might be to compare cytokine profiles in nAMD versus CSR versus iPCV. In nAMD, growth factors and cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and placenta growth factor (PLGF) are known to play an important role in the development of CNV angiogenesis. Aqueous samples from CSR eyes have been analyzed for various growth factors and cytokines, where levels of interlukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 do not differ from healthy controls, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels appear to be lower than controls. In addition, there is evidence to demonstrate that CSR is associated with elevated cortisol serum levels. Cortisol has been analyzed in the aqueous humor of glaucoma and cataract patients; however, the presence of cortisol in aqueous humor in CSR patients has not yet been identified. One study comparing iPCV versus controls found elevated levels of IL-23. Cytokines have also been compared between nAMD and iPCV showing elevated levels of CRP and IL-10 in eyes with iPCV or nAMD. However, there have not been any studies yet comparing aqueous cytokine levels, including PLGF between iPCV, CSR, and nAMD patients. This information may be useful in creating a diagnostic aqueous cytokine and hormone profile to differentiate between nAMD, CSR and iPCV.~If left untreated, PEDs associated with nAMD, CSR, and iPCV may lead to the loss of central vision. We propose to compare the effectiveness of aflibercept in the treatment of PEDs associated with nAMD, CSR and iPCV.~The primary goal of this study is to compare baseline aqueous cytokine and cortisol levels between nAMD, CSR, and iPCV participants and age-matched cataract controls. We will not be looking at changes in cytokine levels after treatment. The secondary objective is to assess intra-group changes in visual and anatomical outcomes in nAMD, CSR and iPCV participants with PED treated with aflibercept and correlate these changes to baseline cytokines.
The presence of PEDs in nAMD, CSR and iPCV can present a diagnostic challenge in the elderly population; despite detailed diagnostic testing to differentiate these three conditions, misdiagnosis and mistreatment still occurs. One potential way of differentiating these three conditions might be to compare cytokine profiles in nAMD versus CSR versus iPCV. This information may be useful in creating a diagnostic aqueous cytokine and hormone profile to differentiate between nAMD, CSR and iPCV.~The primary goal of this study is to compare baseline aqueous cytokine and cortisol levels between nAMD, CSR, and iPCV patients and age-matched cataract controls. The secondary objective is to assess intra-group changes in visual and anatomical outcomes in nAMD, CSR and iPCV patients with PED treated with aflibercept and correlate these changes to baseline cytokines.