During these last years, a large number of articles have been published on the retinal angioid streaks. They are most frequently associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (1). However, a number of cases have been reported in association with other diseases, such as Paget's disease, a chronic progressive disease of the bone of uncertain etiology, characterized initially by an increase in bone resorption, followed by a disorganized and excessive formation of bone. This association was first described by Batten and Verhoeff in 1931 [1]. Studies by Terry, Scholz and Berliner indicate that between 10 and 15% of patients with Paget’s disease show evidence of angioid streaks, their incidence is greater in patients with early age onset of symptoms, skull involvement, and an active systemic disease as demonstrated by markedly elevating serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline. Many ocular manifestations of Paget's disease have been published, such as Pigmented spots, streaks of pigment, arteriosclerosis, retinal and choroidal hemorrhages, and in advanced cases, cataracts and compressive lesions of the optic nerve were present, they are usually due to bony changes in the skull and narrowing of the optic foramen [2]. The bone deformities in Paget’s disease lead to calcium binding on the elastic fibers that occupies the mid segment of Bruch’s membrane, resulting in disintegration and frying of the elastic fibers leading to angioid streaks.

They are usually bilateral and asymptomatic, with asymmetrical involvement of the two eyes, symptoms appear when the foveola is involved, in case of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the macula, or traumatic Bruch’s membrane rupture. The diagnosis is most often made on the basis of fundus examination, but Fluorescein angiography may be useful if the presentation is subtle. Angioid streaks have a "window defect" due to atrophy of RPE adjacent to them. Leakage of fluorescein is evident if CNV is present. Autofluorescence is a practical tool to confirm the diagnosis and to evaluate the evolution. They appear hypoautofluorescent due to attenuated or absent RPE in angioid streaks. Optical coherence tomography is also useful evaluate angioid streaks and the CNV.

Many treatment procedures have been used for the treatment of CNV, the commonest and most serious complication secondary to angioid streaks, However, until recently, they only limit the natural course of the disease without definitive inactivation [2]. There is no indication for prophylactic treatment of angioid streaks. In fact, some researchers believe that this kind of intervention can actually induce CNV. Photocoagulation was used in the past for juxtafoveal and extrafoveal lesions. But It leaded to retinal hemorrhages, degenerative changes, and loss of central vision. Since then, there are several case series, presenting controversial results. ICG-mediated photothrombosis was also used for subfoveal CNV with preservation of visual acuity and anatomical improvement [3]. Transpupillary thermotherapy has been also used without any positive effect on disease progression [4-5]. Other procedures such as Macular translocation and subretinal extraction have been also used but has been abandoned considering the recurrences and adverse events [6-7]. The use of Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in several studies and case reports had encouraging results, while other studies present contradictory results [8-15]. Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be a promising treatment. In many studies, intravitreal bevacizumab was found to mildly reduce central foveal thickness and stabilize visual acuity ]16-18].

The prognosis is poor without treatment, a disciform scar may occur in case of CNV at the fovea. Risk factors for a worse final visual outcome are the age at the initiation of symptoms, the localization of CNV regarding to the fovea, and the presence of a concomitant eye disease.