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Updated: Aug 2, 2025
Application of Optical Coherence Tomography to a Mouse Model of Retinopathy
Published on: January 12, 2022
Retinal Sublayer Analysis in Autoimmune Retinopathy and Identification of New Optical Coherence Tomography Phenotypes
Christopher R Fortenbach1,2, S Scott Whitmore1,2, Matthew J Thurtell2,3
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Purpose:
Autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) is a poorly characterized disease with a wide phenotypic spectrum, complicating investigations of its underlying pathophysiology. We sought to analyze optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal thickness changes in AIR patients.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review from 2007 to 2017 was performed evaluating AIR patients at a single academic, tertiary referral center. OCT retinal sublayer analysis was performed, and paradoxical thickening phenotypes were reviewed.
Results:
Twenty-nine AIR patients with positive anti-retinal antibodies and OCT imaging were identified. Overall, AIR patients had thinner retinal sublayers compared to controls; however, 12 patients (41.4%) had paradoxical thickening of the outer plexiform layer (OPL). This revealed two distinct OCT phenotypes. No association was found between retinal sublayer thickness and specific antiretinal antibodies.
Conclusions:
While the pathogenicity of antiretinal antibodies remains unclear, the OCT phenotypes observed underscore the potential for identifying clues in the underlying disease processes and clinical diagnosis.
