ASSESSING PHOTORECEPTOR STRUCTURE ASSOCIATED WITH ELLIPSOID ZONE DISRUPTIONS VISUALIZED WITH OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

PubMed ID: 26166796

Author(s): Scoles D, Flatter JA, Cooper RF, Langlo CS, Robison S, Neitz M, Weinberg DV, Pennesi ME, Han DP, Dubra A, Carroll J. Assessing photoreceptor structure associated with ellipsoid zone disruptions visualized with optical coherence tomography. Retina. 2016 Jan;36(1):91-103. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000000618. PMID 26166796

Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.), Volume 36, Issue 1, Jan 2016

PURPOSE To compare images of photoreceptor layer disruptions obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) in a variety of pathologic states.

METHODS Five subjects with photoreceptor ellipsoid zone disruption as per OCT and clinical diagnoses of closed-globe blunt ocular trauma (n = 2), macular telangiectasia type 2 (n = 1), blue-cone monochromacy (n = 1), or cone-rod dystrophy (n = 1) were included. Images were acquired within and around photoreceptor lesions using spectral domain OCT, confocal AOSLO, and split-detector AOSLO.

RESULTS There were substantial differences in the extent and appearance of the photoreceptor mosaic as revealed by confocal AOSLO, split-detector AOSLO, and spectral domain OCT en face view of the ellipsoid zone.

CONCLUSION Clinically available spectral domain OCT, viewed en face or as B-scan, may lead to misinterpretation of photoreceptor anatomy in a variety of diseases and injuries. This was demonstrated using split-detector AOSLO to reveal substantial populations of photoreceptors in areas of no, low, or ambiguous ellipsoid zone reflectivity with en face OCT and confocal AOSLO. Although it is unclear if these photoreceptors are functional, their presence offers hope for therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring photoreceptor function.