Comparison of two ultra-widefield imaging for detecting peripheral retinal breaks requiring treatment

A new diagnostic method for retinal breaks in patients with posterior vitreous detachment: Ultra-wide-field imaging with the Zeiss Clarus 700

PURPOSE

This study was performed with the aim of finding a more convenient and less time-consuming method to diagnose retinal breaks in posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) patients.

METHODS

A prospective double-blind observational case study was performed with patients who were admitted to the Eye Emergency Department Sahlgrenska University Hospital with PVD symptoms and approved to participate in the study (n = 128). Standard slit lamp examination was compared with images from a Zeiss Clarus 700 ultra-wide-field camera (UWFC). Patients were examined and photographed by an independent operator. Data and image review was performed by three independent reviewers with varying experience. Retinal break detection with the two different methods (detailed eye examination by well-trained ophthalmologist and UWFC evaluations) was analysed statistically.

RESULTS

After excluding diagnoses other than PVD as well as unclear images due to cataracts, vitreous bleeding, etc., a total of 103 eyes with PVD were evaluated. A total of 38 ruptures in 25 patients were detected by routine examination and were subjected to laser treatment. UWFC images were reviewed by three ophthalmology consultants and compared with routine examinations. Sensitivity values in detecting retinal ruptures in UWFC images of the three reviewers were 0.89, 0.87 and 0.79, and specificity values were 0.88, 0.86 and 0.93 (kappa values: 0.742, 0.689 and 0.728) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although there have been rapid developments in imaging with UWFC in recent years and it is a very promising method for the future, routine clinical examination is still the only valid method for the detection of retinal tears today.

Spotlight on Lattice Degeneration Imaging Techniques

Lattice degeneration (LD), routinely diagnosed with indirect ophthalmoscopy, is one of the most common and clinically significant peripheral retinal findings. In this review, we have summarized the data on currently available imaging techniques which help to improve diagnosis and our understanding of LD pathogenesis. Ultra-wide field imaging provides reliable color fundus capturing for the primary diagnosis of LD and may also be used as a screening tool. Wide-field imaging can be used for targeted documentation of LD lesions using true colors and with minimal optical distortions. Information on the status of the vitreoretinal interface, including detection of retinal holes, detachments, and vitreous tractions, can be obtained with peripheral structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) or scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in retro-mode. These techniques clarify the associated risks of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Fundus autofluorescence can provide details on atrophic changes. However, the risk of retinal detachment by means of this technique requires further investigation. OCT angiography may be successfully performed for some lesions. Taken together, OCT and OCT angiography demonstrate thinning of the choroid, alteration of local choroidal microcirculation, and, in severe lesions, involvement of the sclera. OCT angiography confirms loss of retinal microcirculation within LD lesion, which was previously shown with fluorescein angiography. In conclusion, despite relatively simple primary diagnosis, imaging of LD lesions remains challenging due to their peripheral localization. However, several new strategies, including ultra-wide field imaging, peripheral OCT, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, make LD imaging possible on a routine basis, improving diagnosis and understanding of LD pathogenesis.

Ultra-wide-field fundus photography compared to ophthalmoscopy in diagnosing and classifying major retinal diseases

To analyze the performance of ultra-wide-field (UWF) fundus photography compared with ophthalmoscopy in identifying and classifying retinal diseases. Patients examined for presumed major retinal disorders were consecutively enrolled. Each patient underwent indirect ophthalmoscopic evaluation, with scleral depression and/or fundus biomicroscopy, when clinically indicated, and mydriatic UWF fundus imaging by means of CLARUS 500™ fundus camera. Each eye was classified by a clinical grader and two image graders in the following groups: normal retina, diabetic retinopathy, vascular abnormalities, macular degenerations and dystrophies, retinal and choroidal tumors, peripheral degenerative lesions and retinal detachment and myopic alterations. 7024 eyes of new patients were included. The inter-grader agreement for images classification was perfect (kappa = 0.998, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) = 0.997-0.999), as the two methods concordance for retinal diseases diagnosis (kappa = 0.997, 95%CI = 0.996-0.999) without statistically significant difference. UWF fundus imaging might be an alternative to ophthalmoscopy, since it allows to accurately classify major retinal diseases, widening the range of disorders possibly diagnosed with teleophthalmology. Although the clinician should be aware of the possibility that a minority of the most peripheral lesions may be not entirely visualized, it might be considered a first line diagnostic modality, in the context of a full ophthalmological examination.

Application of mydriasis and eye steering in ultrawide field imaging for detecting peripheral retinal lesions in myopic patients

PURPOSE

To compare mydriatic and eye-steering ultrawide field imaging (UWFI) with standard non-mydriatic UWFI examination in detecting peripheral retinal lesions in myopic patients.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, observational study. 220 eyes of 110 myopic patients with known peripheral retinal lesions in at least one eye under Goldmann three mirror contact lens examination were recruited. Non-mydriatic standard and eye-steering UWFI images were taken centrally and with eye-steering technique in upper, lower, nasal and temporal gazes under Optomap UWFI (Daytona, Optos, UK). Mydriatic standard and eye-steering UWFI was captured in central gaze and four different peripheral gazes. Sensitivity of detecting peripheral retinal lesions under different UWFI settings was compared.

RESULTS

141 (64.09%) eyes were with peripheral retinal lesions. The sensitivity for detecting peripheral lesions from low to high was 41.84% (95% CI 33.62% to 50.54%) under non-mydriatic standard UWFI setting, 52.48% (95% CI 44.08% to 60.75%) under mydriatic standard setting, 75.18% (95% CI 67.21% to 82.06%) under non-mydriatic eye-steering setting and 86.52% (95% CI 79.76% to 91.69%) under mydriatic eye-steering setting. Both mydriasis and eye-steering technique increased sensitivity of detecting peripheral lesions with statistical significance (p<0.001). By applying eye-steering technique, sensitivity of detecting lesions located in superior and inferior quadrants witnessed a greater increase compared with other two quadrants (p<0.05). Neither spherical equivalence (p>0.05) nor axial length (p>0.05) was an independent influence factor for detecting peripheral lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Eye-steering technique and mydriasis could both efficiently improve the sensitivity of detecting peripheral retinal lesions in myopic patients. Lesions of superior and inferior quadrants benefited more from eye-steering technique.

Comparison of Two Ultra-Widefield Cameras With High Image Resolution and Wider View for Identifying Diabetic Retinopathy Lesions

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of the Optos P200dTx and Zeiss Clarus 500 fundus cameras in detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR) lesions.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 243 patients with clinically diagnosed diabetes mellitus who were referred for an eye examination from two tertiary eye care centers in Chennai, India. Patients underwent DR screening based on mydriatic fundal images acquired by both fundal cameras. Fundal images from the two separate devices for each eye were compared based on accurately identified pathological retinal lesions with respect to type and location.

Results

When studying lesions of the central retina, they were better identified by the Zeiss Clarus compared with the Optos P200dTx, with six out of eight being statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, lesions of the mid-peripheral retina and peripheral retina were better identified by the Optos P200dTx than the Zeiss Clarus, with three out of eight lesions and five out of eight lesions being statistically significant (P < 0.05), respectively. Based on the color and size of lesions, the Optos P200dTx had a higher chance (59.6%) of missing white lesions than did the Zeiss Clarus (17%) (P < 0.0001). Consequently, small- and medium-sized lesions were missed more by the Optos P200dTx (30.72% and 32.63%, respectively) than the Zeiss Clarus (22.3% and 19.30%, respectively).

Conclusions

The capability of detecting or missing a particular DR lesion among diabetics differed between the two cameras based on effective field of view, resolution, and the retinal zone being imaged.

Translational Relevance

The choice of which ultra-widefield camera to be used for screening DR can be based on the greater prevalence of central versus peripheral retinal lesions noted in the patient population seen in a clinical practice.