Peripapillary retinal splitting visualized on OCT in glaucoma and glaucoma suspect patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Research
• Retinal Imaging

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Peripapillary retinal splitting (schisis) is a rare condition affecting the optic nerve head.
• Understanding risk factors for retinal splitting in glaucoma is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors for peripapillary retinal splitting (schisis).
• To investigate the prevalence of retinal splitting in patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspicion.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 990 eyes from 495 patients with glaucoma or glaucoma suspicion.
• Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) used for optic nerve head imaging.
• OCT scans reviewed for peripapillary retinal splitting, vitreous traction, and peripapillary atrophy.

Main Results:

• Peripapillary retinal splitting observed in 1.1% of eyes (11/990).
• Vitreous traction to the optic disc (63.6%) and beta-zone peripapillary atrophy (54.5%) were frequently noted.
• Splitting extended into the macula in 2 eyes, but not the fovea.

Conclusions:

• Peripapillary retinal splitting occurs in a small percentage of glaucoma and glaucoma-suspect eyes.
• Adherent vitreous with traction and peripapillary atrophy are associated with this condition.
• Further research with age and axial length-matched cohorts is needed to confirm association with glaucoma.