SCANNING LASER OPHTHALMOSCOPY IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF VITREORETINALINTERFACE SYNDROME

Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate if and to what e xtent scanning laser ophthalmoscopy can help in the early diagnosis an d follow-up management of the vitreoretinal interface syndrome, which includes disorders such as cellophane maculopathy, pseudomacular hole, macular pucker, and macular hole. Methods: The 35 fellow eyes of 35 p atients with vitreoretinal interface syndromes in the first eye underw ent scanning laser ophthalmoscopy microperimetry and argon, helium-neo n, and infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Fellow eyes were define d as clinically positive or negative for vitreoretinal interface syndr ome. Fellow eyes then were classified based on scanning laser ophthalm oscopy techniques. Patients were observed for an average of 18 months (range, 10-26 months). Results: Thirty-two of the 35 fellow eyes were classified as clinically negative, and three of the 35 were classified as clinically positive. Fifteen of the 32 clinically negative fellow eyes were redefined as positive on scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. None of the clinically positive eyes proved to be negative on scanning las er ophthalmoscopy. During the average follow-up period (18 months), th e condition of five of 18 fellow eyes that were positive on scanning l aser ophthalmoscopy worsened. None of the 17 eyes that were negative o n scanning laser ophthalmoscopy worsened. Conclusion: Scanning laser o phthalmoscopy can produce beautifully clear images of structures that are otherwise difficult to see and document, such as posterior hyaloid and the inner retinal layers. Despite a relatively limited number of cases and the short duration of the follow-up period, the present stud y suggests that scanning laser ophthalmoscopy has good sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis of vitreoretinal interface syndro mes.