Macular findings in preterm Non-Retinopathy Of Prematurity infants using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate macular thickness in eight eyes of six preterm infants without history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using SD-OCT and describe morphological findings and parameters in this population.

Methods: A total of six preterm infants, eight eyes, without retinopathy of prematurity confirmed by previous funduscopic examination by a retina specialist were enrolled. Four female infants (66.67%) and two male infants (33.33%), between 34 weeks and 11 months of posmenstrual age (PMA) were evaluated using iVue Spectral-Domain OCT (Optovue, Incorporated). The SD-OCT images were obtained under pupil dilation with phenylephrine and tropicamide. The Central foveal thickness (CFT) and parafoveal thickness were analyzed and interpretation of each OCT was performed.

Results: Of the eight eyes, four presented hyporreflective areas in internal retinal layers (between ganglion cell layer and nuclear internal layer) that could correspond to “B” pattern of retinoschisis. One eye showed probable lack of differentiation of external retinal layers. In three eyes a highly reflective internal layer was appreciated, observation that could correspond to an epirretinal membrane or a high reflective never fiber layer. Three eyes had normal architecture, with no abnormalities in internal and external retinal layers. The central foveal thickness was measured adequately in two of the patients reporting 177 microns and 199 microns.

Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography has become an invaluable tool in the evaluation of macular architecture. With the advent of new devices, we can expand our field of research and make new discoveries in poorly understood diseases. Although SD-OCT can achieve high quality images, in preterm patients without sedation is of great difficulty leaving a lot of questions in diagnosis. Continous practice is needed to achieve best results.

Keywords: 706 retinopathy of prematurity • 585 macula/fovea • 552 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound)