Fundus autofluorescence in patients with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears: An in-vivo evaluation of RPE resurfacing

摘要

Aim: Investigate RPE resurfacing by changes in fundus autofluorescence (AF) in patients with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A retrospective case series of patients presenting with RPE tears from 1 March 2008 to 1 April 2011. The pattern and area of AF signal distribution in RPE tears were evaluated. The change in the size of the area of debrided RPE over the follow-up period was used as the main outcome measure. A reduction in this area was termed "RPE resurfacing", and an enlargement termed "progression of RPE cell loss". Results: Thirteen patients (14 eyes) with RPE tears (mean age 82 years) were included in this study. The mean baseline area of reduced AF signal was 4.1 mm2 (range 0.33-14.9, median 0.29). "Resurfacing" of the RPE occurred in ten eyes and "progression of RPE cell loss" in four eyes after a median follow-up of 11.5 months (range, 1-39). The mean area of healing was 2.0 mm2, and progression was 1.78 mm2. Conclusion: A consistent AF pattern was observed in patients with RPE tears. RPE resurfacing over the area of the RPE tear occurred, to a varying degree, in the majority of the cases.