Abstract
Purpose :
To compare the microstructure of photoreceptors surrounding dot and ribbon SDD [PMID: 24503406] using AOSLO.
Methods :
A total of 28 eyes of 14 patients with diagnosed age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and SDD were enrolled. SDD subtypes were determined and differentiated using color fundus photograph, infrared reflectance, autofluorescence images, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). SDD were classified using an OCT-based 3-stage grading system. SDD lesions and surrounding photoreceptors were examined using AOSLO. The observation was repeated 3 times over 3.5 years.
Results :
Dot SDD were found in 22 eyes of 11 patients. Ribbon SDD were found in 2 eyes of 1 patient. Both forms were seen together in 4 eyes of 2 patients. For dot SDD at stage 3, AOSLO presented a typical pattern showing a central reflective core of the lesion material surrounded by a hyporeflective annulus. Photoreceptor mosaic was visible outside this SDD affected area. For ribbon SDD at the same stage, AOSLO revealed a similar lesion structure as that of the dot SDD. However, photoreceptors adjacent to the lesion were illegible.
Conclusions :
The absence of photoreceptor mosaic in ribbon SDD may indicate degeneration in the photoreceptor outer segment and the interdigitation zone that impairs the waveguide property of the photoreceptors. Our study implied the possible differentiation of disease outcome and prognosis in different subtypes of SDD.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.