title: [Predictive near-infrared SLO signs for tears of the retinal pigment epithelium due to age-related macular degeneration].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify potential predictive markers in confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO)-based imaging for tears of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the presence of pigment epithelial detachments (PED) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen eyes of 15 patients (mean age 77 years, SD ± 6) with RPE tears and pre-existing PEDs were retrospectively analysed for the presence of increased signals on near-infrared imaging (NIR) using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 87 % of the cases increased reflectance signals on NIR in the area of the PED were noted prior to the development of an RPE tear. On average, these signals were recorded 58 days (SD ± 40) before the rip was diagnosed. In 62 % of the patients these signals were localised opposite to the rip location at the rim of the PED.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased reflectance signals on NIR imaging may serve as a predictive marker for RPE tears in patients with PED in AMD. These signals recordable with a non-invasive imaging method should be prospectively validated in a larger cohort of patients with PEDs. It may be useful in the management of patients exhibiting this manifestation of exudative AMD.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Universität Bonn, Germany. nina.bastian@gmx.net
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bastian
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Clemens
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleckenstein
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmitz-Valckenberg
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Holz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium; D042262:Retinoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity