Chapter 13
Modeling and Prediction of Choroidal
Neovascularization Growth Based
on Longitudinal OCT Scans
Fei Shi, Shuxia Zhu and Xinjian Chen
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is common in many chorioretinal diseases and
is a cause of severe visual impairment. This chapter presents a reaction-diffusion
CNV growth model based on longitudinal OCT images. It can be used to predict the
future CNV region and thus can provide guidance for the treatment planning.
13.1 Introduction
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) refers to the growth of new but abnormal blood
vessels from the choroid and into the retina. It occurs in many chorioretinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pathological myopia macular
degeneration and histoplasmosis. Due to the recurrent neovascular leakage and rupture, the patients’ macula are seriously damaged, causing permanent visual impairment.
According to pathological studies, the occurrence of CNV is highly associated
with the high concentration of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) [1]. Currently intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF medicine is the most effective medical
treatment for CNV. It can both inhibit the growth of CNV and reduce the amount of
retinal fluid. However, multiple injections are usually needed, which adds to the risk
of serious ocular adverse events that can result in impairment of sight or complete loss
of vision. Moreover, this treatment is expensive and the patient-specific response is
F. Shi · S. Zhu · X. Chen (B)
School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
e-mail: xjchen@suda.edu.cn
X. Chen
State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University,
Suzhou, China
© Science Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
X. Chen et al. (eds.), Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Image Analysis,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1825-2_13
367
Modeling and Prediction of Choroidal
Neovascularization Growth Based
on Longitudinal OCT Scans
Fei Shi, Shuxia Zhu and Xinjian Chen
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is common in many chorioretinal diseases and
is a cause of severe visual impairment. This chapter presents a reaction-diffusion
CNV growth model based on longitudinal OCT images. It can be used to predict the
future CNV region and thus can provide guidance for the treatment planning.
13.1 Introduction
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) refers to the growth of new but abnormal blood
vessels from the choroid and into the retina. It occurs in many chorioretinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), pathological myopia macular
degeneration and histoplasmosis. Due to the recurrent neovascular leakage and rupture, the patients’ macula are seriously damaged, causing permanent visual impairment.
According to pathological studies, the occurrence of CNV is highly associated
with the high concentration of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) [1]. Currently intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF medicine is the most effective medical
treatment for CNV. It can both inhibit the growth of CNV and reduce the amount of
retinal fluid. However, multiple injections are usually needed, which adds to the risk
of serious ocular adverse events that can result in impairment of sight or complete loss
of vision. Moreover, this treatment is expensive and the patient-specific response is
F. Shi · S. Zhu · X. Chen (B)
School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
e-mail: xjchen@suda.edu.cn
X. Chen
State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University,
Suzhou, China
© Science Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
X. Chen et al. (eds.), Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Image Analysis,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1825-2_13
367