Fundus autofluorescence after full macular translocation surgery for myopic choroidal neovascularization

Morphological changes in the diseased retina on a healthy choroid-retinal pigment epithelial complex after full macular translocation for exudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To describe the change in the retinal morphology after full macular translocation (FMT) for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and identify predictive factors for the visual outcome.

METHODS

All patients who underwent FMT from December 2008 through July 2013 were selected. Exclusion criteria were FMT for other disease than AMD, age <60 years, <12 months of follow-up or no available images. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorangiography and indocyanine green angiography were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 51 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 30 months. The presence of the external limiting membrane (ELM) was a significant predictor for a favourable visual outcome 1 year after FMT (OR = -0.30). Other significant predictive factors were the absence of intraretinal fluid (OR = 0.28) and the mixed choroidal neovascularization type (OR = -0.47), whereas nonresponders (OR = 0.41) and fibrotic lesions (OR = 0.35) were less likely to have a good visual function after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Full macular translocation (FMT), that permits to relocate the diseased macula onto an area of unaffected retinal pigment epithelial and choroid, can restore the anatomy and visual function in some patients with AMD when the outer retina layers are not irreversibly damaged. The presence of the ELM seems to be the most reliable factor in predicting the functional outcome.

SPECKLED HYPOAUTOFLUORESCENCE AS A SIGN OF RESOLVED SUBRETINAL HEMORRHAGE IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

PURPOSE

To describe patterns of hypoautofluorescence in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration occurring after subretinal hemorrhage.

METHODS

This was a retrospective descriptive analysis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration eyes presenting with subretinal hemorrhage over the last 5 years that underwent serial multimodal imaging. A review of color fundus photographs, fundus autofluorescence, near-infrared reflectance, and optical coherence tomography was performed at baseline and all available follow-up visits to document the course and evolution of subretinal hemorrhage in these eyes.

RESULTS

Eleven eyes of 10 patients (9 female, 1 male; mean age: 84.1 years, range: 72-99 years) with a mean follow-up of 19.8 months (range: 3-68 months) were included. Color fundus photographs showed subretinal hemorrhage that resolved over a mean of 5.5 months. During and after hemorrhage resolution, all eyes showed hypoautofluorescence, which appeared distinct from that due to retinal pigment epithelium loss. Discrete multifocal punctate hyperpigmented lesions were observed in 90% of eyes and were markedly hypoautofluorescent, producing a speckled pattern on fundus autofluorescence.

CONCLUSION

Areas of hypoautofluorescence in the absence of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, often with a speckled pattern, delineate areas of prior subretinal hemorrhage long after its resolution in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Potential mechanisms for the development of this pattern are proposed.

Fundus autofluorescence applications in retinal imaging

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a relatively new imaging technique that can be used to study retinal diseases. It provides information on retinal metabolism and health. Several different pathologies can be detected. Peculiar AF alterations can help the clinician to monitor disease progression and to better understand its pathogenesis. In the present article, we review FAF principles and clinical applications.

Structural and functional changes associated with normal and abnormal fundus autofluorescence in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

PURPOSE

To analyze the structure and visual function of regions bordering the hyperautofluorescent ring/arcs in retinitis pigmentosa.

METHODS

Twenty-one retinitis pigmentosa patients (21 eyes) with rings/arcs and 21 normal individuals (21 eyes) were studied. Visual sensitivity in the central 10° was measured with microperimetry. Retinal structure was evaluated with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The distance from the fovea to disruption/loss of the inner outer segment (IS/OS) junction and thicknesses of the total receptor plus retinal pigment epithelial complex and outer segment plus retinal pigment epithelial complex layers were measured. Results were compared with measurements of the distance from the fovea to the inner and outer borders of the ring/arc seen on fundus autofluorescence.

RESULTS

Disruption/loss of the inner outer segment junction occurred closer to the inner border of the ring/arc and it was closer to the fovea in eight eyes. For 19 eyes, outer segment plus and receptor plus RPE complex thicknesses were significantly decreased at locations closer to the fovea than the appearance of the inner border of hyperautofluorescence. Mean visual sensitivity was decreased inside, across, and outside the ring/arc by 3.5 ± 3.8, 8.9 ± 4.8, and 17.0 ± 2.4 dB, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Structural and functional changes can occur inside the hyperfluorescent ring/arc in retinitis pigmentosa.

Correlation of fundus autofluorescence with photoreceptor morphology and functional changes in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa

PURPOSE

To assess and correlate fundus autofluorescence (FAF) characteristics with photoreceptor morphology and functional features in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

METHODS

Thirty-four eyes of 17 patients with RP were examined. We compared FAF images obtained by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy with Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and retinal function assessed by microperimetry.

RESULTS

Normal FAF surrounded by a ring of increased FAF at the macular area was detected in 32 (94%) eyes. The diameter of the normal FAF was correlated significantly with the preserved area of the photoreceptor inner segment and outer segment (IS/OS) junction on SD-OCT (R=0.939, p<0.001). The area outside the ring was associated with loss of IS/OS junction and external limiting membrane (ELM). The ring of increased FAF demarcated the border between the central retina with preservation of the IS/OS junction and ELM, and the adjacent eccentric retina with loss of these bands. In two eyes of one patient, there was no preservation of normal FAF at the macula and the photoreceptor IS/OS junction was not detected on SD-OCT. The mean retinal sensitivity derived from microperimetry was correlated significantly with the area of normal FAF (R=0.929, p=0.007) and the preserved area of the IS/OS junction (R=0.851, p=0.032). Ten eyes had progressive reduction in size of the normal FAF inside the ring accompanied by decreased area of preserved IS/OS during 3.1 years.

CONCLUSION

FAF appears to reflect the integrity of the photoreceptor layer. It may serve as a secondary outcome measure for novel therapeutic strategies for RP.