[Differential diagnosis of macular breaks by microperimetry with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope]

To improve differential diagnosis of macular breaks, microperimetry with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) was performed. Fifty consecutive macular breaks were detected by biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, and SLO microperimetry was performed on each. Of the 50 eyes, 22 eyes were diagnosed with idiopathic macular breaks by biopmicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy because of a cuff. SLO microperimetry also showed dense scotoma within the macular break and relative scotoma on the cuff in the 22 eyes. However, diagnosis was not done only by biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy in the other 28 eyes because of the absence of a cuff. SLO microperimetry differentiated the full thickness macular breaks from pseudo-or lamellar breaks in these eyes. SLO microperimetry is useful for differentiating their prognosis, and determining the need for surgical treatment.