Evaluation of peripheral retinal degenerations using ultra-widefield swept source optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To describe the features of peripheral retinal degenerations using an Ultra-Widefield (UWF) Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT).

Method: In this cross-sectional study done at a tertiary eye care centre in Northern India, peripheral retinal degenerations such as lattices, snail track lesion, paving stone, White With-Out Pressure(WWOP), micro-cystoid lesions, retinoschisis and other suspicious lesions were identified with clinical examination. Following clinical examination, these eyes with peripheral retinal degenerations underwent UWF OCT.

Results: 100 eyes with 14 peripheral lesions like lattices (31%), snail track lesions (10.4%), peripheral retinoschisis (7.5%), non-specific pigmented doubtful lesions (13.2%), WWOP (7.5%), paving stone (6.6%), peripheral retinal detachment (3.8%) along with CHRPE, micro-cystoid lesions and dark without pressure areas were identified. All the lesions could be imaged with the help of UWF-OCT. It significantly helped in improving diagnostic capability with early identification of specific structural features such as vitreoretinal attachment and traction, full-thickness hole or tear, and sub-retinal fluid which were not so evident on indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Conclusion: UWF-OCT deepens our understanding of the structure of the retina and its associated peripheral pathologies, allowing early recognition of vision-threatening lesions that may influence clinical management.