Clinical Spectrum of Lamellar Macular Defects Defined by Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Introduction : Lamellar macular defects lead to decrease in visual acuity. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technology that provides cross-sectional images of the retina with high resolution. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the varied presentations of lamellar macular defects and their Optical coherence tomography (OCT) features and correlation with visual acuity. Methods: This observational, cross sectional and analytical study reviewed OCT scans of 40 eyes with lamellar macular defects. Lamellar macular defects were categorised into different subtypes: macular pseudohole (MPH), lamellar macularhole (LMH) and foveal pseudocyst (FP) according to their OCT appearance. The various parameters of defects in terms of base diameter, depth defect, and central foveal thickness and perifoveal thickness were measured. Results : Visual acuity (VA) was significantly correlated with the central foveal thickness and depth of the lamellar defect. MPH was associated with better VA compared with LMH and FP, but there was no statistically significant difference between VA of MPH and FP. FP had a smaller base diameter and had a greater central foveal thickness than that of LMH and MPH. Conclusion : Different types of lamellar macular defects were characterised and quantified by OCT. Deeper and wider lamellar defects had poorer visual acuity, suggesting wide intraretinal split probably responsible for the lower visual acuity.