ECHOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN HEMORRHAGIC DISCIFORM LESIONS

Purpose: To examine the potential role of ocular echography in the eva luation of hemorrhagic disciform disease. Methods: Using standardized ocular echography, the authors examined 85 eyes of 85 patients with he morrhagic disciform lesions. Results: Hemorrhagic disciform lesions ar e located in the subretinal pigment epithelial space and appear echogr aphically as solid chorioretinal elevations characterized by a bumpy, lobulated surface with indistinct peripheral margins, irregular intern al structure, and medium to high internal reflectivity. These lesions could be reliably differentiated from associated subretinal or suprach oroidal hemorrhage by ocular echography when the maximal height of the lesion was 1 mm or greater. Conclusions: Hemorrhagic disciform diseas e is usually complex with distinct components that may not be discerni ble on biomicroscopic or angiographic examination, in part because of overlying subretinal hemorrhage. Ocular echography provides a readily available clinical tool to define the components of hemorrhagic discif orm disease more precisely. Improved characterization of hemorrhagic d isciform lesions may improve understanding of the natural history and response to therapy of hemorrhagic age-related macular degeneration.