Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe, compare and contrast the fundus autofluorescence (AF) patterns of cuticular drusen with other forms of drusen.
Methods: :
Fundus photographs, AF images, and clinical records of patients carrying a diagnosis of cuticular drusen, North Carolina macular dystrophy (NCMD), peripheral drusen and age related drusen (ARD) seen between December 2007 and November 2011 were evaluated. All available color, AF, red free, and fluorescein images were analyzed. The extent and distribution pattern of the drusen were noted, and the types of AF appearance were documented.
Results: :
Of a total of 76 patients, 27 had cuticular drusen, 41 had ARD, 3 had NCMD and 5 had equatorial drusen. Five patterns of AF was seen - rings, punctate hyper-AF, dark dots, triradiate flecks, and nonspecific pattern. 25 out of 27 patients (50 eyes) with cuticular drusen had a characteristic "ring pattern" - a hyper-AF circle with a hypo-AF center. 17 out of 41 patients (34 eyes) with ARD had a "ring pattern" in addition to variable AF, non specific pattern and triradiate flecks. Patients with NCMD showed punctate hyper-AF, dark dots, or both. Equatorial drusen patients had a nonspecific pattern.
Conclusions: :
The appearance of a hypofluorescent center surrounded by a hyperfluorescent ring ("ring pattern") on fundus autofluorescence may help differentiate cuticular drusen from other types of drusen.
Keywords: drusen • imaging/image analysis: clinical