Autofluorescence imaging of cystoid macular edema in diabetic retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to assess fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images in patients with diabetic retinopathy and cystoid macular edema (CME) and their correlation with fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.


METHODS
Sixty-eight eyes of 34 consecutive patients with diabetic retinopathy were examined with autofluorescence imaging using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope, FA and OCT. The eyes were divided into 2 groups, group 1 with CME and group 2 without.


RESULTS
In the 44 eyes of group 1 (65% of the series), we identified 3 patterns of FAF: (1) multicystic increased FA (57%), (2) a single cyst of increased FAF (16%), (3) combined single- and multicystic increased FAF (27%). FA and OCT gave a positive correlation between cystic increased FAF and CME (r = 0.95; p = 0.001). Visual acuity loss was not correlated with the size of the cystic area (p = 0.83), but it was related to significant macular thickening (p = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy can selectively visualize autofluorescent, multilobulated spaces in eyes with diabetic CME. Even if OCT remains preferable for evaluating macular thickening and cysts, FAF might be another useful easy test to rapidly distinguish this entity noninvasively and with no risk.
Pece
Alfredo
A
Retina and Angiography Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Melegnano Hospital, Milan, Italy. pece.retina@mclink.it
Isola
Vincenzo
V
Holz
Frank
F
Milani
Paolo
P
Brancato
Rosario
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods