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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV)

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV)

Category(ies): Retina, Vitreous
Contributor: Jesse Vislisel, MD
Photographer: Brice Critser, CRA

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), also known as posterior uveal bleeding syndrome, is a condition characterized by chronic, multiple, recurrent serosanguinous retinal pigment epithelium detachments secondary to an abnormal network of underlying choroidal vessels. Multiple areas of subretinal hemorrhage are visible in these photos. They are surrounded by areas of yellow subretinal material which likely represents old hemorrhage.

acute subretinal hemorrhage in the right eye
The photograph shows the fundus appearance after the patient later presented with an acute subretinal hemorrhage in the right eye.