Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate morphological features of idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telanjiectasis (IJRT) using three–dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Methods: :
We performed OCT–ophthalmoscope on three eyes of three consecutive patients with group 1A IJRT and six eyes of three consecutive patients with group 2A IJRT using longitudinal B–scans and transverse C–scans as well as biomicroscopic examination and fluorescein angiography (FA).
Results: :
All three eyes with group 1A IJRT showed retinal thickening in B–scan images. In two of the three eyes, OCT–ophthalmoscope demonstrated cystic cavities consistent with cystoid macular edema seen in the late phases of FA. All six eyes with group 2A IJRT showed no retinal thickening in B–scan images. In five of the six eyes, OCT–ophthalmoscope demonstrated thin cystic low–intensity space within inner and outer retinal layers. Partial loss of highly reflective line considered as the boundary between photoreceptor inner segments and outer segments, was also detected. Transverse C–scans provided en face images of the low–intensity space shown with B–scans, if not entirely. These morphological findings appeared not to correspond with the staining seen in the late phases of FA.
Conclusions: :
OCT–ophthalmoscope could visualize morphological differences between eyes with group 1A IJRT and eyes with group 2A IJRT. Intraretinal exudation from dilated capillaries may be important in the morphological alterlations of group 1A IJRT. On the other hand, degeneration or atrophy of neurosensory retina including photoreceptor layer may be important in the morphological alterlations of group 2A IJRT. These hypotheses could be supported by minimal beneficial effect of laser photocoagulation to eyes with group 2A IJRT.
Keywords: macula/fovea • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound)