title: Evaluation of the progression rate of atrophy lesions in punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) based on autofluorescence analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the autofluorescence (AF) characteristics of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) and to evaluate the progression rate of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy lesions in PIC using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two eyes of 14 PIC cases and 21 eyes of 21 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) cases which received retinal coagulation as a control group were enrolled in this study. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and AF were recorded from all patients at 18 months follow-up. The RPE atrophy areas of PIC and laser scars in NPDR were analyzed using the Region Finder software of the Heidelberg Eye Explorer. This software allows direct export of AF images from the database and semi-automated detection of atrophic areas by shadow correction, vessel detection, and selection of seed points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, both hyperfluorescence and hypofluorescence were observed in the lesions of PIC eyes with a focal elevation of RPE and corresponding disruption of the ellipsoid region of the inner segment ellipsoid zone (EZ). In contrast, hypo-AF was detected when there was a lack of RPE. The mean progression rate of RPE atrophy in PIC and NPDR were 3.735 mm(2)/year (0.056-0.545) and 0.127 mm(2)/year (0.015-0.466), respectively. Compared with the atrophy area in the last visit, the progression rate in PIC was significantly greater than that in NPDR (Z=5.615, P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of AF reflect the status of PIC and the progression rate of RPE atrophy in PIC, which can be used to predict the progress of PIC noninvasively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Limin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. Electronic address: LeiChen51@126.com.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000473:pathology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autofluorescence; Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography; Progression rate; Punctate inner choroidopathy; Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy