Potential pitfalls from variable optical coherence tomograph displays in managing diabetic macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To describe potential pitfalls in the use of optical coherence tomography for management of diabetic macular edema.


METHODS
Prospective, noninterventional case series.


METHODS
Review of optical coherence tomographs in 13 eyes with clinically significant diabetic macular edema from 11 consecutive patients in a private retina practice.


RESULTS
Optical coherence tomography displays are based on 3.5-mm or 6-mm diameter circular grids that look very similar and have identical sector names but schematize different areas of the macula. The numeric outputs for the identically named sectors in the two displays do not differ significantly for retinal thickness but differ significantly in all sectors except the fovea for retinal volume because of the different areas represented by the sectors.


CONCLUSIONS
Failure to explicitly note the scale of the optical coherence tomography display can potentially misdirect planned focal and grid laser treatment for diabetic macular edema. Failure to explicitly verify identical optical coherence tomography display scales in longitudinal studies of laser treatment for diabetic macular edema can potentially lead to errors in interpreting treatment efficacy.
Browning
David J
DJ
Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210, USA. djbrowning@carolina.rr.com
D003626:Data Display; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008027:Light; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D014054:Tomography