Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate and compare integrity of photoreceptors and retinal sensitivity function in eyes with MFC.
Methods :
In this descriptive study, six eyes of five patients with multifocal chorioretinitis lesions were included. Images were obtained with a prototype AO-OCT system and Spectralis SD-OCT (Heidelberg Engineering). Retinal sensitivity was evaluated by microperimetry (MP-3, Nidek). AO/SD-OCT imaging and MP testing were performed at the center and border and regions of MFC lesions. OCT B-Scans and AO-OCT en face images of the IS/OS, COST and RPE layer were evaluated regarding structural integrity.
Results :
In all patients retinal sensitivity levels in the center of multifocal chorioretinitis lesions as assessed by MP were within normal limits (mean: 28.77 ± 1.71dB), whereas in the border of the lesions all patients showed significantly reduced values (mean: 20.11 ± 7.50dB). In all 6 eyes, SD-OCT images showed a disturbed or complete loss of inner segment/outer segments (IS/OS) and cone outer segments (COST) in the corresponding area. The AO-OCT B-Scans revealed in the healthy area a regular IS/OS, COST and RPE. In the multifocal chorioretinitis border the IS/OS and COST had a weak signal and looked disrupted, furthermore the RPE appeared as an irregular and an inhomogenous hyperreflective band, whereas in the center the IS/OS, COST and RPE showed a complete signal loss. The en-face images of the border and the center showed a focal IS/OS and COST lost, which appeared as an irregularly cone pattern.
Conclusions :
Our descriptive study showed highly disturbed IS/OS and COST cone patterns above MFC lesions, which were more severe above the center than above the border region with partially intact retinal sensitivity. In summary, AO imaging provides an unrivalled in-vivo insight of the photoreceptor morphology in disease like MFC, which could not be visible by using standard techniques.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.