A NEW CHART FOR PLANNING RETINAL SURGERY

Purpose: To design a chart for drawing retinal detachments that minimi zes the circumferential distortion that occurs with the current chart. Methods: After trying several standard map projections, a hybrid char t was created. It retains the radial equidistant projection of the cur rent chart from the posterior pole to the equator, but superimposes st ereographic projection anterior to the equator. The hybrid chart was p ut on trial for drawing retinal lesions and planning retinal detachmen t surgery at the New York Hospital and at the University Eye Clinic in Tubingen in May 1992. Results: The stereographic projection anterior to the equator has minimized the distortion of retinal breaks and othe r pathology in the anterior retina when drawn on the chart. Retinal br eaks can be drawn as they are seen ophthalmoscopically and estimates o f their real dimensions derived from the chart. Conclusion: A new reti nal chart that minimizes circumferential distortion anterior to the eq uator has proven advantages for planning retinal detachment surgery.