Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate structural changes by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) by observation of the central retinal architecture in patients with rod monochromatism (achromatopsia) in Mexican individuals.
Methods: :
This is a descripitive, transversal study. Eight patients with rod monochromatism were included; the diagnosis of achromatopsia was established by means of visual acuity, standard electroretinogram, and color vision tests. SD-OCT was performed in all patients with the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering). The examination included a central linear 100-frame scan and 25° x 25° 30-frame volume cube. Images were analyzed by direct observation of the foveal architecture, RPE, and Inner-Outer segment junction of central photoreceptors. Measurement of foveal thickness was also performed with auto segmentation. OCT findings were correlated with best corrected visual acuity and electrophysiological studies.
Results: :
Eight patients (Sixteen eyes) with diagnosis of rod monochromatism (complete and incomplete) were evaluated, 5 males (62.5%) and 3 females (37.5%). The mean age was 20.6 years (4 - 42 ), the average BCVA was 20/100, the mean central thickness was 186.3 ± 28.5 µm ; the foveal depression was normal in all patients; absence of the IS/OS junction was observed in the foveal region in both eyes on 4 patients (50%), which did not correlated with BCVA. None of the patients had epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema or retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities.
Conclusions: :
In this study 8 eyes showed changes in the foveal architecture. Advanced Imaging techniques such as the SD-OCT are helpful for the structural analysis of the retinal architecture in a wide spectrum of retinal diseases including the congenital retinal disorders. In this study we did not find a consistent structural anomaly in patients with the same diagnosis. A larger population of patients should be evaluated and compared with a control group.
Keywords: imaging/image analysis: clinical • color vision • inner retina dysfunction: hereditary