Retinitis imaging findings

The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the fundus autofluorescence (FAF) techniques are most often used when diagnosing a genetic variation of retinitis. OCT may be used to acquire in situ retinal imaging for diagnosis of ocular diseases. FAF imaging is a non-invasive technique, dependent on the presence of lipofuscin pigments (lipofuscin is a by-product of lysosomes during the normal process of photoreceptor degradation.)^[1]

• An imaging technique used to acquire in situ retinal imaging for diagnosis of ocular diseases.
• Recent developments have revealed a highly reflective line, identified as the photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS/OS); crucial for the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa.
• The line is an indicator of a normal alignment of the outer segment’s membranous discs in the photoreceptor.
• The OCT should therefore display a continuous IS/OS line. This line serves as an indicator of good vision, as well as recovery from an invasive, intraocular surgery.^[1]

• Noninvasive method of diagnosing retinal disease.
• FAF imaging is dependent on the presence of lipofuscin pigments (lipofuscin is a by-product of lysosomes during the normal process of photoreceptor degradation.)
• Identification of normal levels of lipofuscin indicates normal function of photoreceptor cells.
• Correct functioning of this cycle is dependent on normal function of retinal pigment epithelium and therefore may be used as a diagnostic tool for retinitis pigmentosa.
• More than half of patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa will display a high density of FAF in the form of a parafoveal ring.^[1]

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