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Hyperautofluorescent Ring Pattern in Retinitis Pigmentosa: Clinical Implications and Modifications Over Time.
Alessio Antropoli1, Alessandro Arrigo1, Lorenzo Bianco1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|September 5, 2023
Summary
The hyperautofluorescent ring pattern in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) correlates with visual acuity and ellipsoid zone width. Its absence indicates faster disease progression, aiding clinical interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal diseases leading to progressive vision loss.
- Assessing disease progression and visual function in RP is crucial for patient management.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (AF) are key imaging modalities in RP research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hyperautofluorescent ring patterns, visual acuity (VA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
- To describe the modifications of hyperautofluorescent ring patterns over time in RP patients.
- To evaluate the prognostic value of hyperautofluorescent ring patterns in RP progression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, longitudinal, and observational study design.
- Analysis of clinical and imaging data (OCT, short-wavelength autofluorescence - SW-AF) from RP patients.
- Classification of SW-AF images based on hyperautofluorescent ring patterns (absent, regular, irregular) and measurement of ellipsoid zone (EZ) width.
Main Results:
- Hyperautofluorescent rings were absent in 25.9%, regular in 41.7%, and irregular in 32.4% of RP eyes.
- Significant differences in age, VA, and EZ width were observed among the three ring pattern groups (P < 0.05).
- Absence of a hyperautofluorescent ring was associated with a faster rate of RP progression (P < 0.001).
- 15.7% of eyes showed changes in AF pattern during follow-up, with irregular rings being most affected.
Conclusions:
- Hyperautofluorescent ring patterns serve as a valuable tool for stratifying RP patients based on EZ width and VA.
- Understanding the dynamic changes in these AF patterns over time can assist clinicians in interpreting imaging findings.
- The study highlights the prognostic significance of hyperautofluorescent ring patterns in predicting RP progression.
