Retromode Retinal Imaging of Macular Retinoschisis in Highly Myopic Eyes

Purpose

To determine the characteristics of a macular retinoschisis using noninvasive retromode imaging by a new, commercial confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (F10; Nidek, Aichi, Japan) and to compare the findings with those obtained by conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design

Open-label, consecutive, interventional case series.

Methods

Sixty-six consecutive highly myopic eyes were examined by multiple scans of the posterior fundus within the retinal vascular arcade using the Cirrus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany). The retinas also were examined with the F10.

Results

OCT examinations showed that 22 (33.3%) of the 66 eyes had a macular retinoschisis. Retromode imaging by F10 showed a characteristic fingerprint pattern at the corresponding area of the macular retinoschisis in all 22 eyes. The fingerprint pattern consisted of radiating retinal striae centered on the fovea and many light dots and lines that ran in parallel to the striae or formed a whorled pattern surrounded the radiating striae. Two patients had both inner and outer retinoschisis, and the border between them was outlined as a change in the course of the linear reflex by the retromode imaging. Also, an inner lamellar hole was found in 2 patients and was observed as a circular defect of the deep retinal reflex by the retromode imaging. In contrast, the 44 eyes that did not have a macular retinoschisis by OCT showed no abnormal findings by F10.

Conclusions

Retromode imaging by F10 shows characteristic alteration of the retina that corresponds to the site of the macular retinoschisis.