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Published on: May 26, 2023
Multicolor Imaging of Optic Disc Drusen
Yan Yan1, Sangeethabalasri Pugazhendhi, Shannon J Beres
1Department of Ophthalmology (YY, SP, SB, YJL), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Ophthalmology (YY), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China ; and Department of Neurology (SB, YJL), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
Multicolor (MC) imaging reveals distinct features of optic disc drusen (ODD), including green hyperreflectance and vascular sheathing. This novel technique aids in differentiating ODD from other optic nerve head conditions without pupil dilation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Optic disc drusen (ODD) are calcified deposits within the optic nerve head.
- Traditional ophthalmic imaging modalities like OCT and fundus autofluorescence can detect ODD.
- Multicolor (MC) imaging is an emerging technology providing high-resolution reflectance images.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristic MC imaging features of optic disc drusen.
- To evaluate the utility of MC imaging in the assessment of optic nerve head conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multicolor (MC) imaging, a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy technique.
- Acquired high-resolution reflectance images using blue, green, and near-infrared lasers.
- Documented specific MC imaging findings associated with ODD.
Main Results:
- Identified three key MC imaging features of ODD: prominent green optic disc hyperreflectance, green vascular sheathing (arterioles > venules), and superficial orange ODD.
- Demonstrated MC imaging's capability for rapid, high-resolution assessment of the optic nerve head.
Conclusions:
- MC imaging offers a novel approach to visualize and characterize optic disc drusen.
- This modality shows potential in distinguishing ODD from pseudopapilledema and papilledema without dilation.
- Further research with MC imaging is warranted for ODD diagnosis, monitoring, and evaluating other optic nerve head elevations.

