Autofluorescence imaging - a useful adjunct in imaging macular trauma

Multimodal imaging of soccer ball-related ocular posterior segment injuries

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical and anatomic characteristics of soccer ball-induced posterior segment injuries in the era of modern multi-modal imaging.

METHODS

Retrospective case series of patients with soccer ball injury and diagnostic imaging from 2007 to 2020 at a single vitreoretinal practice.

RESULTS

Eight patients met inclusion criteria. Fundus photographs (FP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were obtained in eight patients, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in five patients, fluorescein angiography (FA) in three patients, and en-face OCT and OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) were obtained in two patients each. FA and FAF identified traumatic pigment epitheliopathy secondary to commotio. Increased hypo-autofluorescence was associated with shallow, peripheral retinal detachment on FAF. OCT of the macula displayed outer retinal changes associated with commotio, and offered insight into the acute and subacute changes of traumatic macular hole formation. A patient displayed foveal hyper-reflectivity in the shape of an hourglass with retinal cyst at the level of the external limiting membrane (ELM) as seen on OCT and En-face OCT. A patient with commotio involving the macula lacked microvascular changes on OCT-A.

CONCLUSION

OCT, FA, and FAF imaging may aid in the work-up and management of the soccer ball-related posterior segment injuries.

Complimentary imaging technologies in blunt ocular trauma

We describe complimentary imaging technologies in traumatic chorioretinal injury. Color and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were obtained with a non-mydriatic retinal camera. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) helped obtain detailed images of retinal structure. Microperimetry was used to evaluate the visual function. A 40-year-old man sustained blunt ocular trauma with a stone. Color fundus image showed a large chorioretinal scar in the macula. Software filters allowed detailed illustration of extensive macular fibrosis. A 58-year-old man presented with blunt force trauma with a tennis ball. Color fundus imaging showed a crescentric area of macular choroidal rupture with fibrosis. FAF imaging delineated an area of hypofluorescence greater on fundus imaging. OCT showed chorioretinal atrophy in the macula. Microperimetry delineated an absolute scotoma with no response to maximal stimuli. Fundus imaging with digital filters and FAF illustrated the full extent of chorioretinal injury, while OCT and microperimetry corroborated the structure and function correlations.