Angioid streaks of the retina: diagnosis and treatment

Angioid streaks (AS) are irregular breaks in a calcified Bruch's membrane that appear as pigmented linear lesions radiating from the optic disc. In approximately 50% of cases, AS are associated with systemic diseases such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum, Paget's disease, various hemoglobinopathies, and they may also be idiopathic. Visual impairment in patients with AS is primarily related to the development of choroidal neovascularization along the streaks, followed by retinal pigment epithelium atrophy. Diagnosis of AS is based on clinical examination and modern imaging methods. This literature review summarizes current data on the epidemiology, etiology, and pathogenesis of diseases associated with AS, as well as treatment approaches, including anti-angiogenic therapy, and their potential complications.