Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of the spontaneous resolution of acquired vitelliform lesions (AVL) and drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment (dPED) in patients with non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods:
Retrospective review of those patients diagnosed with non-exudative AMD and AVL or dPED which experienced spontaneous reabsorption through the follow-up. Changes in VA and SD-OCT morphometric changes (greater axial dimension, overlying retinal thickness, photoreceptor layer thickness) were assessed.
Results:
One patient evidenced spontaneous progressive resolution of the AVL with the subsequent retinal atrophy (VA decreased from 0,3 to 0,1 and outer retinal thickness decreased from 36 to 20 microns); on the other hand, two patients showed partial resolution of AVL (VA decreased form 0,8 to 0,2 in one case and remain stable in 0,5 in the other case). Two patients evidenced complete resolution of the dPED with secondary foveal atrophy (VA decreased from 0,8 to 0,5 in one case, and remain stable in the other case; retinal thickness decreased in both cases with final disruption of the outer retina).
Conclusions:
The “catch-up” phenomenon has been described in AVL. We have found similarities in the spontaneous resolution of dPED with an initial decrease on retinal thickness, followed by the decrease of the drusenoid material and final retinal atrophy. Further studies are warranted in order to understand the characteristics of this phenomenon.
Keywords: 550 imaging/image analysis: clinical •
696 retinal degenerations: hereditary •
701 retinal pigment epithelium