eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Choroid

Angioid Streaks: Follow-up

Author: Mohammad Abusamak, MD, Chief Retina Division, Assistant Professor, Division of Ophthalmology, Jordan University Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 16, 2008

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Screening and follow-up examination by means of Amsler grid and ophthalmoscopic examination, including FA, may be necessary to detect CNVM and to treat recurrences.
  • Patients who undergo laser treatment or surgery need close follow-up care during the first 3 months of treatment. If they stay asymptomatic and no FA leakage occurs, follow-up care every 6 months is recommended.

Complications

  • Subretinal hemorrhage and serous detachment are common complications of angioid streaks. Incidence of subretinal hemorrhage and serous detachment caused by choroidal neovascularization is high, about 85% of all patients with PXE and 10-15% of patients with Paget disease of the bone. The disease is bilateral in all patients with an average age of onset older than 25 years.

Prognosis

  • A high risk of serious complications, such subretinal hemorrhage and serous detachment, exists. Bilateral involvement is the rule, although it may not be symmetrical. Families with affected individuals need screening and regular eye examinations for early detection of any progression.

Patient Education

  • Patients should be instructed to return if visual acuity decreases. Signs of decreased central visual acuity may include central blurred vision, difficulty in depth perception, and distortion of lines and objects.
  • Families and patients will benefit from using an Amsler grid to detect early changes in asymptomatic but high-risk individuals.
  • More emphasis should be placed on safety measures to avoid trauma even if trivial. Protective goggles are useful for young patients who participate in sports.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Accurate diagnosis will help the doctor to educate the patient about vision-threatening complications.
 


More on Angioid Streaks

Overview: Angioid Streaks
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Angioid Streaks
Treatment & Medication: Angioid Streaks
Follow-up: Angioid Streaks
Multimedia: Angioid Streaks
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

angioid streaks, retinal hemorrhage, Bruch membrane, Bruch's membrane, choroidal neovascularization, CNV, choroidal neovascular membrane, CNVM

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mohammad Abusamak, MD, Chief Retina Division, Assistant Professor, Division of Ophthalmology, Jordan University Hospital
Mohammad Abusamak, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Retina Specialists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Russell P Jayne, MD, Consulting Vitreoretinal Surgeon, The Retina Center at Las Vegas
Russell P Jayne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and American Society of Retina Specialists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Steve Charles, MD, Director of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Steve Charles, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, and Retina Society
Disclosure: Alcon Laboratories Consulting fee Consulting; OptiMedica Ownership interest Consulting

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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