Optical coherence tomography and ultra-wide-field autofluorescence imaging are the useful tools to understand the changes in peripheral retinal lesions

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

We investigated optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and ultra-wide-field autofluorescence (UAF) abnormalities to improve our understanding of the pathological changes in peripheral retinal lesions.

 

Methods

 

We examined the patients with peripheral retinal lesions who were diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. OCT and Ultra-wide-field fundus photography including autofluorescence imaging was conducted to investigate the peripheral lesions.Imaging was performed with spectral domain OCT (Heidelberg Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) and Optos 200 Tx (Optos plc, Dunfermline, UK) instruments. Twenty-six eyes in 26 patients with peripheral lesions underwent OCT imaging. Subject age ranged from 34 to 73 years. The patient was seated in front of the OCT as usual and instructed to look in the direction of the quadrant of interests. Focusing was done to obtain as clear a retinal lesion image as possible in the fundus image window and the scan was performed. Cases where the fundus image was poor quality and could not reliably confirm scan location were excluded (5 eyes).

 

Results

 

We investigated pigmented lattice degeneration in 8 eyes and non-pigmented degeneration in 11 eyes. Another 2 eyes included scarring laser photocoagulation after retinal detachment surgery. OCT image: Lattice degeneration showed vitreous adhesion at the edges of the two ends of lattice. Full thickness retinal defects were found in pigmented lattice degeneration and the intentional hole after retinal detachment surgery. Non-pigmented lattice lesions did not demonstrate thinning of the retina. Edges of these lesions were thicker than the surrounding retina and demonstrated a triangular configuration of vitreous attachment (Figure 1). UAF image: Lattice degeneration showed hypofluorescence dark area (Figure 2). It might be more easily to find degeneration than color photograph because of high contrast.

 

Conclusions

 

It is possible to take images for peripheral retina by using OCT. We can see pathological changes of peripheral lesions. UAF is a valuable tool that allows a 200 degrees view of the retina with a single frame.

 

 

OCT image of non-pigmented lattice degeneration shows triangular configuration of vitreous attachment.

 

 

UAF image of non-pigmented lattice degeneration shows hypofluorescence area (arrow head).

 

Keywords: 550 imaging/image analysis: clinical • 688 retina