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Updated: Sep 30, 2026
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
Internal limiting membrane detachment in acute central retinal artery occlusion: a novel prognostic sign seen on OCT
Ramesh Venkatesh1, Chaitra Jayadev2, Akhila Sridharan2
1Dept. of Retina and Vitreous, Narayana Nethralaya, #121/C, 1st R Block, Chord road, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru, 560010, Karnataka, India. vramesh80@yahoo.com.
Background:
To present a series of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) cases showing internal limiting membrane detachment (ILMD) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to describe the possible etiopathogenesis and outcomes associated with it.
Methods:
Demographic and OCT features of patients with acute CRAO were analysed retrospectively. OCT parameters noted were posterior vitreous opacities, ILMD, inner retinal layer stratification, hyperreflectivity and thickening, cystoid macular edema, neurosensory detachment. Eyes were grouped into Group (1) CRAO with ILMD; Group (2) CRAO with no ILMD.
Results:
A total of 28 eyes of acute CRAO who had undergone OCT scans at the time of the acute episode were identified. Out of these, ILMD was noted in 5 eyes. The study findings suggested that cases of acute CRAO with ILMD are associated with poor presenting visual acuity and have more severe signs of retinal hypoperfusion on OCT, like inner retinal thickening, inner retinal hyperreflectivity and loss of inner retinal layer stratification. Patients with ILMD have poor final visual acuity and thinning and atrophy or necrosis of the inner retinal layers.
Conclusion:
ILMD can occur in acute CRAO due to total retinal artery occlusion and severe retinal hypoperfusion. The presence of ILMD on OCT can be considered a sign of poor prognosis in cases of acute CRAO.
Trial Registration:
Not applicable.
