Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV)is a disease of which the etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown, and some studies have shown that it may be related to certain genes. The funduscopic presentation of PCV is similar to that of exudative age-related macular degeneration(AMD). PCV could be distinguished from AMD through imaging such as indocyanine green angiography(ICGA)and optic coherence tomography(OCT). The diagnosis could be made if subretinal orangered lesions by ophthalmoscope and branching choroidal vessels with poly-like terminal aneurismal dilations on ICGA are seen. The treatment of PCV mainly includes photodynamic therapy(PDT), intravitreal anti-angiogenesis therapy, and combination therapy. We review the nature of PCV through its history, epidemiology, pathology, pathogenesis, gene, clinical manifestation, imaging, diagnosis and treatment. The further research direction of PCV is discussed and proposed at last.