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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy
Published on: January 12, 2022
Stratus optical coherence tomography findings in patients with retinopathy of prematurity
Aline do Lago1, Lícia Matieli, Michele Gomes
1Setor de Retina e Vítreo, Departamento de Oftalmologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. alinelago@oftalmo.epm.br
Insights
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) reveals distinct macular changes in premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). These changes include a condensed retinal pigmented epithelial layer and poorly differentiated retinal layers in the macular region.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Understanding the macula's morphological changes in ROP is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the morphological features of the macula in premature infants diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity.
- To investigate the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in visualizing these changes.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of twelve premature infants with ROP (grades I, II, and III) was recruited.
- Dilated fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluations were performed on thirteen eyes.
Main Results:
- OCT imaging demonstrated a condensed retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) layer with increased reflectivity in the macular-foveal area of all affected eyes.
- Retinal layers were poorly differentiated in these eyes.
- Foveal depression was observed in 23% of the evaluated eyes.
Conclusions:
- OCT imaging reveals characteristic macular abnormalities in premature infants with ROP.
- These abnormalities include a condensed RPE layer and poorly differentiated retinal structures, particularly in the RPE-choriocapillaris zone.
Purpose:
To describe morphological features of the macula in patients with retinopathy of prematurity.
Methods:
Twelve premature babies with retinopathy of prematurity grades I, II and III underwent dilated fundus examination and optical coherence tomography evaluation.
Results:
In all thirteen eyes of the twelve premature patients optical coherence tomography revealed a condensed retinal pigmented epithelial layer in the macular-foveal area shown by increased reflectivity. In these eyes the retinal layers were not well differentiated. Foveal depression was clearly evident in 23%.
Conclusions:
In premature patients with retinopathy of prematurity, optical coherence tomography revealed poorly differentiated layers in the macular region with increased reflectivity in retinal pigmented epithelial-choriocapillaris zone.
