Retinal pigment epithelium tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration: a simultaneous confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the morphology of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration by using high-resolution, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

METHODS:

For simultaneous topographic and tomographic in vivo imaging, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were applied in combination. Retina over the RPE-denuded area was particularly examined for signs of viable photoreceptors.

RESULTS:

A total of 26 patients (28 eyes) were included in the study. The mean (SD) age of patients was 78 (8) years (age range, 62-91 years). In cases with recent RPE tears, external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and nonatrophic outer nuclear layer could be identified in the retina on the RPE-denuded area. Intact external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and nonatrophic outer nuclear layer could be seen in 1 patient for up to 325 days after the RPE tear. In fibrotic older RPE tears, these structures were atrophic.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study, signs for viable photoreceptors could be identified for up to 325 days after an RPE tear using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. This finding is important to consider in future therapies aimed at rescuing photoreceptors after RPE tears.

• Authors: Albert Caramoy, Bernd Kirchhof, Sascha Fauser
• Journal: Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (Arch Ophthalmol) Vol. 129 Issue 5 Pg. 575-9 (May 2011) ISSN: 1538-3601 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21555609 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cell Survival
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Humans
• Macular Degeneration (complications)
• Male
• Microscopy, Confocal
• Middle Aged
• Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate (pathology)
• Retinal Perforations (diagnosis, etiology)
• Retinal Pigment Epithelium (pathology)
• Tomography, Optical Coherence