Autofluorescence as a Novel Approach to Diagnosing Macular Holes

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To assess the capability of autofluorescence as a novel approach to diagnosing macular holes. Methods:A retrospective chart review of patients who were diagnosed with macular hole and had surgical repair (Group 1) and of control patients who were diagnosed with pseudohole or macular pucker (Group 2). Using the Heidelberg Retina Angiograph (Heidelberg Engineering), autofluorescence, color fundus photos, red free and infrared photos were obtained for Group 1 and Group 2. Autofluorescence was graded with an averaged mean of nine images using Heidelberg Eye Explorer Version 1.3.2. In addition, OCT III was obtained for all patients including pre and post-operative exams for the patients with surgical intervention. Results:Ten patients were diagnosed with macular hole pre-operatively with autofluorescence and confirmed by OCT. In all cases, there was a strong subfoveal autofluorescence signal corresponding to the macular hole. Autofluorescence was also used post-operatively to confirm surgical closure. In all cases with confirmed closure by OCT, there was no autofluorescence. Ten controls with diagnosis of macular pucker or pseudohole demonstrated no autofluorescence. OCT confirmed the lack of macular hole in the control group. Conclusions:Autofluorescence is a novel approach to demonstrating a macular hole. This technique can also be used to confirm post-operative outcome after macular hole repair. A lack of autofluorescence corresponds with macular hole closure.

Keywords: macular holes • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, S • imaging/image analysis: clinical