Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings in Patients with...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Solar retinopathy is a retinal condition caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.
• It primarily impacts the outer retinal layers, specifically photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
• Understanding the structural changes and their correlation with visual function is crucial for managing this condition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) findings in patients diagnosed with solar retinopathy.
• To investigate the correlation between OCT/OCTA parameters and visual acuity (VA) in affected individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study included 14 eyes from 11 patients with a history of solar exposure, particularly during a solar eclipse.
• Standard OCT and OCTA imaging were performed.
• Key parameters measured included macular and choroidal thickness, outer retinal defect dimensions, RPE-Bruch membrane thickness, foveal avascular zone area, and central foveal vessel density.

Main Results:

• OCT revealed hyporeflective outer retinal defects affecting the ellipsoid and interdigitation zones in all studied eyes.
• OCT angiography showed no significant choriocapillaris flow deficits corresponding to the outer retinal defects, indicating intact vascular patterns.
• A significant positive correlation was observed between visual acuity and the thickness of the RPE-Bruch membrane beneath the outer retinal defect.

Conclusions:

• Solar retinopathy characteristically affects the outer retina, with en face OCT proving useful for quantifying outer retinal defect areas.
• The RPE-Bruch membrane thickness under the defect area emerged as a significant indicator of visual acuity and potential disease severity.
• Further research may elucidate the long-term implications of these structural findings on visual function.