Natural Course of Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of OCT characteristics on the natural course of optic disc pit maculopathy (ODP-M).

This was a single-center, retrospective, observational case series. Patients with ODP-M were included in the study. Baseline demographic characteristics, central macular thickness (CMT), IPP, subretinal fluid (SRF), subretinal precipitations, outer retinal fluid (ORF), and outer retinal layer hole were evaluated. The changes in the OCT characteristics were analyzed with respect to the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to the last visit.

Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients were evaluated with a mean follow-up time of 37.6 (median 22) months. The mean BCVA was 0.31 logMAR at baseline and 0.28 logMAR at the final visit (p = 0.521). Baseline BCVA was significantly related to CMT (β coefficient 0.001, p = 0.002). Mean BCVA increased in 7 patients (group 1), remained stable in nine (group 2), and decreased (group 3) in 6 patients. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the baseline BCVA, CMT, and extent of retinal fluid. In patients with subretinal deposits, BCVA remained stable in 3 patients and worsened in one. ORF was recorded in all patients. In patients with SRF, the mean change of BCVA during follow-up differed significantly, depending on the presence (0.07 logMAR) or absence (-0.125 logMAR) of SRF (p = 0.019).

Among the OCT characteristics, SRF was a negative prognostic factor in ODP-M. Most ODP-M patients showed improved or stable vision over 3 years of follow-up. Therefore, observation may be considered in patients with reasonable vision and without SRF even when they present with remarkable OCT findings.