Ultra-wide field fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging is a new noninvasive technique with an imaging range of about 200 °. It can detect peripheral retinal lesions that cannot be found in previous FAFs and more objectively reflect intracellular content and distribution of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and RPE cell metabolic status. The ultra-wide field FAF can find the abnormal autofluorescence (AF) in the peripheral retina of the eyes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and different AF manifestations may have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of the different AMD subtypes. It is helpful to evaluate subretinal fluid in the eyes of central serous choroidal retinopathy and can accurately detect the changes in the outer retina of the eyes without subretinal fluid. It can help to determine the type of uveitis and fully display the evolution of the disease. It can also assess the peripheral photoreceptor cell layer and RPE in patients with retinal dystrophy and retinitis pigmentosa, and comprehensively evaluate their retinal function and monitor the progress of disease. It can also assist in the evaluation of the short-term efficacy and RPE cell function after the scleral buckling surgery for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In the future, ultra-wide field FAF may change the knowledge and intervention strategy of ocular fundus diseases and promote the clinical and scientific research in this field.
Objective To compare the characteristics of fundus angiograms of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with exudative agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in patients more than 45. Methods The colorized photographs of ocular fundus, and results of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) of 32 patients (39 eyes) with CSC and 20 patients (22 eyes) with exudative AMD more than 45 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results In 39 eyes with CSC, the results of FFA revealed classic CSC in 11 (28.2％) and diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) in 28 (71.8％); the results of ICGA showed localized choroidal delayed filling associated with dilated vessels in 39 (100％) in the early phase, choroidal hyperpermeability in 39 (100％), identifiable hyperfluorescence of leakage from RPE in 16 (41.0％) was observed in the middle phase, and a distinctive silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels in 5 (12.8％) was detected in the late phase. In 22 eyes with exudative AMD without evident hemorrage, the results of ICGA exhibited focal CNV in 13 (59.1％), plaque CNV in 8 (36.4%), and combination CNV in 1 (4.5%)；choroidal delayed filling around macular region vicariously was found in 5 (22.7％) in the early phase, choroidal hyperpermeability was not observed in the middle phase and silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels was not showed in the late phase. Conclusions The differences of the ICGA features between CSC and exudative AMD in patients more than 45 include focal or multifocal hyperfluorescence of leakage from RPE, multifocal choroidal hyperpermeability in the middle phase, silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels in the late phase, and no focal or plaque CNV.
ObjectiveTo observe the imaging features of branching vascular network (BVN) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsEighty PCV patients (90 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The patients included 58 males and 22 females. The age was ranged from 49 to 85 years, with a mean age of 61.4 years. All the patients were examined for fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The fibrovascular retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) was defined as a well-demarcated subretinal heterogeneous plaque with increasing fluorescence on FFA. The late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque was defined as a well-demarcated lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque on late phase ICGA. The double-layer sign on OCT was defined as a wide range of shallow PED from Bruch membrane. ResultsBVN were found on early ICGA in 76 eyes among the 90 eyes (84.4%). Among these 76 eyes, 18 eyes (23.7%) demonstrated the subretinal reddish-orange branches corresponding to BVN. Fifty-six eyes (73.7%) demonstrated all or part of the BVN on early FFA. Three eyes (3.9%) demonstrated branching transmitted fluorescence corresponding to BVN throughout the FFA. Seventy-three eyes (96.1%) were manifested by occult choroidal vascularization on FFA, and 21 eyes (27.6%) of them were fibrovascular PED. Among the 76 eyes with BVN, all BVN appeared earlier than polypoidal lesions on ICGA. Polypoidal lesions located on the terminal of BVN in 62 eyes (81.6%). Sixty-nine eyes (90.8%) on ICGA demonstrated the late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque, whose area was equal to or greater than the area of BVN shown on early ICGA. Seventy-two eyes (94.7%) had the double-layer sign. Among these 72 eyes, 15 eyes (20.8%) had lumen-like structure within the double-layer sign. Sixty-five eyes (90.3%) had punctate and linear hyper-reflectance within the double-layer sign. Two eyes (2.8%) demonstrated a hyporeflective short segment and a gap of Bruch membrane on OCT corresponding to the origin of the BVN. Sixty-three eyes (87.5%) had an area of double-layer sign that matched the area of late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque on ICGA. ConclusionsBVN in PCV can be noted as reddish-orange branches on fundus examination. Most of the BVN are shown as early branching transmitted fluorescence but collectively an occult choroidal vascularization on FFA, as lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque on late ICGA, and as double-layer sign on OCT whose area matches late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque.
Choroidal nevus is one of the most common benign melanocytic tumor. The prevalence rate of choroidal nevi is 0.15% - 10.00%, which is high among whites and low among colored people, and is obvious higher in male than that in female. Secondary changes in the surrounding retina of the benign tumor, such as subretinal fluid and choroidal neovascularization, may result in vision loss. This benign tumor carries risks for transformation into malignant melanoma. The factors predictive of transformation into melanoma included greater thickness, subretinal fluid, visual symptoms, orange lipofuscin pigment, tumor location (tumor margin near optic disc), ultrasonography hollowness and absence of halo. Early identification of the related features which impair visual acuity is important for early treatment and better prognosis, and it is especially important to monitor the tendency of malignant transformation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could provide detailed information which aid in diagnosing, differentiating and monitoring of choroidal nevi. OCT and optical coherence tomography angiography are emerging as excellent techniques to investigate choroidal melanocytic lesions. The treatment modalities, such as laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelium growth factor, have been proved to be effective for choroidal nevi with secondary changes. In the future, the relevant researches should be imposed to provide more detailed information in order to explore the nature and characteristics of this disease.
Purpose To define the morphometric characteristic s and the implication of simultaneous fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in traumatic choroidal rupture. Methods Simultaneous FFA and ICGA were carried out in 17 patient s (17 eyes) with traumatic choroidal rupture. Results Choroidal ruptures were shown as hyperfluorescence region in the early pha se of FFA,and as hyperfluorescence in the late phase of FFA but in ICGA were shown as hypofluorescence region in both early and late phases.The rupture regions in ICG A were longer than that in FFA in 5 patients (5 eyes).The rupture regions in 6 patients (6 eyes) with hemorrhage could be shown in ICGA,but couldn't be shown in FFA . Conclusion ICGA is helpful in diagnosing minor choroidal ruptures,in defining the extent of traumatic choroidal ruptures,and in further understanding the pathological changes of choroidal ruptures. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:30-32)
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new and non-invasive imaging technique that is able to detect blood flow signal in the retina and the choroid within seconds. OCTA is different from the traditional angiography methods. The major advantages of OCTA are that it can observe blood flow signal in different layers of the retina and the choroid without injecting any dye, provide blood flow information that traditional angiography cannot provide, and enrich pathophysiological knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases., which help us to make an accurate diagnosis and efficient evaluation of these diseases. However there is a large upgrade potential either on OCTA technique itself or on clinical application of OCTA. We need to fully understand the advantage and disadvantage, and differences of OCTA and traditional angiography. We also need to know how to interpret the result of OCTA. With that we could make a fast diagnosis in a non-invasive way and improve our knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical characterisitics of choroidal excavation in the macula. MethodsA total of 22 patients (22 eyes) with choroidal excavation diagnosed by spectral domain high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) were enrolled in this study. The patients included 12 males (54.50%) and 57 females (45.50%). The age was ranged from 21 to 82 years old, with an average of (41.44±13.17) years. All the patients were affected unilaterally, including 9 right eyes and 13 left eyes. The corrected vision, slit lamp microscope with preset lens, fundus photography, HD-OCT and fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA)were measured for all patients. The clinical characterisitics and concomitant diseases were observed. Seventeen eyes were followed for a period between 3 to 12 months. The lesions change were evaluated by HD-OCT. ResultsThere were 18 eyes (81.8%) with symptoms of micropsia and metamorphopsia, 4 eyes (18.2%) without symptoms. The corrected vision was ranged from 0.3 to 1.2, 12 eyes (54.54%) with moderate or high myopia. Fundus examination presents yellowish-white exudation in 12 eyes (54.54%), yellowish-white exudation accompanied with hemorrhage in 9 eyes (40.91%), grayish yellow reflex halo in 1 eye (4.55%). HD-OCT showed that the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer was involved in the excavation, and the photoreceptor outer segment and pigment junction (OPR) layer was disappeared in all eyes. The external limiting membrane and the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction layer were preserved in 13 eyes (59.09%) and disappeared in 9 eyes (40.91%). There were 10 eyes (18.18%) with a single lesion, 4 eyes (18.18%) with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, 4 eyes (18.18%) with punctate inner choroidopathy, 1 eye (4.55%) with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, 1 eye (4.55%) with macular preretinal menbrance, 1 eye (4.55%) with central serous chorioretinopathy. FFA showed hypofluorescence in early phase, hyperfluorescence in late phase, without obvious leakage. There was no noticeable changes in size and morphological changes in the follow-up period. ConclusionsChoroidal excavation in the macula occurs mostly in middle-aged people with myopia. It can be associated with many fundus diseases. The excavation is located in RPE layer, and OPR layer disappeared. Choroidal excavation in the macula develops slowly.
Optic coherence tomography (OCT) is one of the most rapid developing technologies in ophthalmology. OCT angiography (OCTA) has been made possible by the development of even faster scanning and sampling techniques, which is the next milestone after stratus OCT and spectral domain OCT. Without the need of injection of the contrast agent, OCTA is capable of providing a three-dimensional reconstruction of the perfused microvasculature within the retina and choroid by detecting the motion of scattering particles such as erythrocytes within sequential OCT cross-sectional scans performed repeatedly at the same location of the eye with different analysis algorithms. Comparing to fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography, with improved OCT technology and understanding, OCTA has showed certain advantages to diagnose retinal and choroidal diseases, especially macular vascular diseases. It is important to establish the contributions that OCTA can make to diagnosing, managing and understanding of ocular fundus diseases.
Peripapillary intrachoroidal cavitation (PICC) is a common pathological change observed in high myopia. The exact pathogenesis of PICC is still unclear. Expansion and mechanical stretching of the peripapillary sclera, breakage and defect in the retina near the border of the myopic conus and communication between intrachoroidal cavity and the vitreous space may be important segments during the development of PICC. Color fundus photography shows a localized and well-circumscribed peripapillary lesion with yellow-orange colour, often accompanied by fundus changes, such as myopic conus excavation, optic disc tilting and inferotemporal retinal vein bending at the transition from the PICC to the myopic conus. However, the PICC lesion is not easy to be recognized in the fundus photography. Fluorescein angiography shows early hypofluorescence and later progressively staining in the lesion. Indocyanine green angiography shows hypofluorescence throughout the examination. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is vital in diagnosing PICC. Hyporeflective cavities inside the choroid, sometimes communicating with the vitreous chamber, can be observed in OCT images. OCT angiography indicates lower vessel density or even absence of choriocapillary network inside or around PICC lesions.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new diagnostic technique in recent years based on the optical coherence tomography. It is one of the fastest developing imaging examinations in ophthalmology. Compared with the classic diagnostic methods of fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography, OCTA show the ability to reveal blood flow non-invasively. With the development of modern medical detection technology, the requirement for ophthalmic diagnosis is raised, and many new measurement methods begin to apply in research and clinical, which makes the detection methods in the field of ophthalmology more accurate and comfortable. OCTA is a novel and noninvasive flow imaging technique, and it has the advantages of high resolution, fast scanning, as w ell as quantifying blood flow. Meanwhile, this technique can not only qualitatively analyze the shape of ocular blood vessels, but also be able to measure the ocular blood vessels and blood flow non-invasively, as well as to assess the depth of lesions. At present, with a wide clinical application in ophthalmology, OCTA still has its own superiority and weakness, but with the development of technology. It is believed that the OCTA will be expected to replace the relevant invasive examination methods and become a new tool for ophthalmic imaging.