Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Older Patients With History of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Background and objective: To characterize the in vivo microstructural features of patients with history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Patients and methods: A single-center, retrospective imaging case series during which a chart review was performed of consecutive patients with history of ROP who underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with or without enhanced depth imaging. Eyes with time-domain OCT, no light perception, or uninterpretable SD-OCT images were excluded. Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and exploratory SD-OCT findings.

Results: A total of 186 eyes of 112 patients (mean age: 31.5 years; range: 8 years to 70 years) were imaged. Mean visual acuity was 20/150 (range: 20/20 to light perception). Mean foveal thickness (MFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) measured 270.93 µm ± 56.40 µm and 239.87 µm ± 73.00 µm, respectively. There was a negative correlation between ROP stage and MFT (Rho = -0.19; P = .027), but not with SCT (Rho = -0.03; P = .748). There were negative correlations between BCVA and MFT (Rho = -0.23; P < .01) and SCT (Rho = -0.19; P = .04). Ellipsoid zone (EZ) abnormalities, inner retinal layer thickening, and presence of chorioretinal atrophy were associated with higher ROP stage (P < .001) and poorer visual acuity (Rho = 0.59; P < .001). The presence of retinoschisis (n = 36/186; 19%) was associated with poorer visual acuity (P < .001), but did not correlate with higher ROP stage (P = .17). Epiretinal membrane-like dense hyaloidal organization and vitreoretinal interface abnormalities were seen in 69% (130/186) and 33% (63/186) of eyes, respectively, but were not associated with ROP stage (P = .87) or visual acuity (P = .54). After controlling for EZ abnormalities, foveal hypoplasia, macular schisis, inner retinal thickening, chorioretinal atrophy, and ROP stage, the independent risk factors for poorer visual acuity were EZ abnormalities (Beta = 0.38; P < .001), chorioretinal atrophy (Beta = 0.18; P = .03), and ROP stage (Beta = 0.22; P < .01).

Conclusion: SD-OCT imaging identified a variety of microstructural abnormalities present in patients with history of ROP. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:1086-1094.].