Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the utility of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in prompting and guiding treatment in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: :
A retrospective analysis was performed on 112 patients with diabetic retinopathy who had undergone imaging with ultra-widefield photography and/or ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (Optos plc, Dunfermline, Scotland, UK). The analysis was to determine if diagnostic or treatment management capabilities were enhanced by the widefield dynamic images.
Results: :
Of the 112 patients, 24% (27 patients) received treatment prompted by the pathology visualized on the Optomap® (PT - Prompted Treatment group) while a further 15% (17 patients) received treatment guided by the Optomap® (GT - Guided Treatment group). In the PT group, the Optomap P200MA revealed the presence of undetected neovascularization of the retina, extensive nonperfusion, and other findings that prompted treatment. In the GT group, the Optomap P200MA identified extensive peripheral nonperfusion felt to be contributing to diabetic macular edema, persistently active neovascularization despite adequate panretinal photocoagulation, and other findings that guided treatment.
Conclusions: :
Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis and treatment management of diabetic retinopathy. Dynamic widefield imaging may allow for eyes with varying stages of diabetic retinopathy to be treated earlier and more effectively than previously indicated. By imaging the source of pathology, a guided treatment can be administered.
Keywords: retina • imaging/image analysis: clinical • diabetic retinopathy