Posterior Lattice Degeneration Characterized by Spectral Domain Optical Tomography

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To utilize high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the characterization of retinal and vitreal morphological changes overlying posterior lattice degeneration. METHODS:

A cross-sectional, retrospective analysis was performed on 13 eyes of 13 nonconsecutive subjects with posterior lattice degeneration seen at the New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center between October 2009 and January 2010. SD-OCT images taken through the region of lattice degeneration were qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS:

Four characteristic changes of the retina and vitreous were seen in the 13 eyes with lattice degeneration: (1) anterior/posterior U-shaped vitreous traction, (2) retinal breaks, (3) focal retinal thinning, and (4) vitreous membrane formation. The morphological appearance of vitreous traction and retinal breaks were found to be consistent with previous histological reports. CONCLUSIONS:

It is possible to image posterior lattice degeneration in many eyes using SD-OCT and to visualize the spectrum of retinal and vitreous changes throughout the area of lattice degeneration.