Polymorphisms in the VEGF-A in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in a Korean population

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor A gene ( VEGF - A ) are associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a Korean population and whether they are associated with PCV phenotypes. Methods This was a case–control study comprising 111 patients with PCV and 123 control participants. The PCV and control groups were genotyped for five polymorphisms in VEGF - A . Clinical characteristics were evaluated, including best-corrected visual acuity, fundus findings, and angiography findings at the first visit. Main outcome measures were the genotypes of variants and association with phenotypes. Results Only rs833069 in VEGF - A generated significant allelic associations with PCV ( P = 2.24 × 10 −5 ). As compared with the AA group, the GG genotype group in rs833069 had a 6.25-fold increased risk of PCV [ P = 7.45 × 10 −5 , 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.52–15.46] and the AG group had a 1.82-fold increased risk ( P = 0.029, 95% CI 1.03–3.24). The haplotype CCGC in VEGF - A showed an association with PCV ( P = 2.90 × 10 −5 ). However, the phenotypic characteristics of PCV did not show an association with the rs833069 genotypes. Conclusions The rs833069 polymorphism in VEGF - A was significantly associated with the risk of PCV in a Korean population.