Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) is a problem that is related to a wide variety of retinal diseases but is most commonly linked to age-related macular degeneration. With CNVM, abnormal blood vessels stemming from the choroid (the blood vessel-rich tissue layer just beneath the retina) grow up through the retinal layers. These new vessels are very fragile and break easily, causing blood and fluid to pool within the layers of the retina. As the vessels leak, they disturb the delicate retinal tissue, causing the vision to deteriorate. The severity of the symptoms depends on the size of the CNVM and its proximity to the macula. Patients’ symptoms may be very mild such as a blurry or distorted area of vision, or more severe, like a central blind spot.
