Ultra-Widefield Fundus Autofluorescence Findings as an Indicator of Duration in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: To describe and compare characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) on ultra-widefield (UWF) color fundus photography versus UWF fundus autofluorescence (FAF). Design: A retrospective observational study. Participants: Patients presenting with RRDs at 1 tertiary medical center from 2022 to 2025. Patients without UWF color and FAF imaging at initial presentation and those with total retinal detachments or poor image quality were excluded. Methods: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were graded for the following characteristics: clock hours of detachment, quadrants involved, number of breaks, and macular involvement and compared between UWF fundus photography and FAF. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment duration was determined by patient-reported symptom onset and categorized as acute (<2 weeks) or chronic (>2 weeks). Color photographs were further assessed for bullous appearance. Fundus autofluorescence images were also assessed for the presence of hyperautofluorescent dots and presence of a hyperautofluorescent leading edge of the detachment. Main Outcome Measures: (1) Differences in detachment grading as assessed by UWF color photography versus autofluorescence and (2) association of hyperautofluorescent dots and leading edge with detachment duration. Results: < 0.001). Conclusions: Fundus autofluorescence may be helpful in determining the duration of RRDs and aid in surgical planning. A hyperautofluorescent leading edge on FAF was associated with detachments of shorter duration, while hyperautofluorescent dots were associated with detachments of longer duration. These findings may be useful adjuncts in determining chronicity and be validated in future studies as a biomarker for pathophysiologic changes occurring with increased duration of retinal detachment. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
Source: Ophthalmology Science
Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Language: English
Topic: Retinal and Macular Surgery
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W4416528093