Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To assess the potential of non-invasive imaging with an infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) for the detection and evaluation of macular oedema compared with the fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Methods:Twelve eyes of six healthy volunteers and ten eyes of ten patients with macular oedema in association with a broad spectrum of diseases were included in the study.Infrared images were captured by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in confocal and indirect modes.Colour fundus photographs were taken using a fundus camera and fluorescein angiograms were perfomed with a Topcon camera system. Comparison was made between the SLO images and the fluorescein angiogram images. Results:Macular oedema was detected with infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in all eyes. In the cases of cystoid macular oedema the cystoid lesions were visualised well with both confocal and indirect modes.In addition retinal folds were detected with infrared SLO imaging which, on some occasions, had not been found clinically.In the fluorescein angiograms the cystoid lesions were not always detected as distinct structures. In addition, the cystoid retinal structure was more faithfully reproduced by the SLO images than by the fluorescein angiograms. In particular, FFA did not reveal leakage in all patients with clinically detected macular oedema, whereas the infrared SLO imaging detected elevation in the area corresponding to the area of the clinically detected macular oedema. Conclusions: Infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy is a non-invasive, reliable, safe, quick and objective diagnostic method for evaluation of macular oedema.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, S • macula/fovea • diabetes