ENHANCED VISUALIZATION OF VITREORETINAL INTERFACE BY LASER BIOMICROSCOPY

Background. The use of slit-lamp biomicroscopy provides valuable infor mation for the diagnosis and management of vitreoretinal disorders. Ho wever, intense backscatter from the fundus often precludes the visuali zation of fine structures in the vitreoretinal interface. Methods: Las er biomicroscopy is a new method designed to improve the visualization of fine vitreoretinal structures at the macula. This method was appli ed to eyes suspected of traction maculopathies. With this method, the contrast and the lateral separation between the vitreal and retinal im ages are optimized while preserving information on the location of the slit on the fundus. Results: The results indicated that fine structur es in the vitreoretinal interface, which were difficult to observe wit h conventional slit-lamp biomicroscopy, could be clearly visualized. C onclusion: Laser biomicroscopy may be a useful tool in the diagnosis a nd management of diseases with vitreoretinal abnormalities.