Correlation Between OCT Findings and Retinal Sensitivity in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa

Abstract

Purpose: : To determine whether a significant correlation exists between the OCT findings and retinal sensitivity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: : Sixty-four eyes of 34 patients with RP were examined by the optical coherence tomography (OCT) 3 and the Micro Perimeter-1 (MP-1). The photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction (IS/OS) appeared as a distinct, highly reflective line just vitread of the retinal pigment epithelium in the OCT3 images. The length of the IS/OS line was measured in the grayscale OCT3 images obtained from 5-mm horizontal scans through the fovea. The central foveal thickness (CFT) and retinal volume (RV) were also calculated. The MP-1 was used to determine the mean retinal sensitivity at 24 locations covering the central 10°. The correlation between the retinal sensitivity and the length of the IS/OS line, CRT, or RV was determined.

Results: : The length of the IS/OS line was significantly correlated with the retinal sensitivity (r=0.618, P<0.0001). However, correlations between the retinal sensitivity and CRT or RV were not significant (r=0.109, P=0.3939; R=0.129, P=0.3120; respectively).

Conclusions: : The length of the IS/OS line was associated with the retinal sensitivity in RP patients. The length of the IS/OS may reflect a retinal function and may be an important additional parameter to monitor RP patients.

Keywords: visual acuity • macula/fovea • imaging/image analysis: clinical