Objective: To describe the morphology of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration by using high-resolution, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
Methods: For simultaneous topographic and tomographic in vivo imaging, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were applied in combination. Retina over the RPE-denuded area was particularly examined for signs of viable photoreceptors.
Results: A total of 26 patients (28 eyes) were included in the study. The mean (SD) age of patients was 78 (8) years (age range, 62-91 years). In cases with recent RPE tears, external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and nonatrophic outer nuclear layer could be identified in the retina on the RPE-denuded area. Intact external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and nonatrophic outer nuclear layer could be seen in 1 patient for up to 325 days after the RPE tear. In fibrotic older RPE tears, these structures were atrophic.
Conclusions: In this study, signs for viable photoreceptors could be identified for up to 325 days after an RPE tear using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. This finding is important to consider in future therapies aimed at rescuing photoreceptors after RPE tears.