OCT Biomarkers in Diagnostic of Uveitic and Radiation-induced Macular Edema

Objective: tо evaluate characteristic OCT biomarkers of onset and recurrent uveitic and radiation-induced macular edema (ME) and determine their significance in assessing best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Patients and methods. 48 patients (56 eyes) with radiation-induced (24 eyes) and uveitic (32 eyes) ME were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent OCT on Optovue RTVue XR Avanti. The following biomarkers were assessed to evaluate OCT morphostructural characteristics: foveal eversion, subretinal detachment, hyperreflective foci, ellipsoid zone disruption, disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), and epiretinal membrane. Central retinal thickness was measured to analyze OCT morphometric characteristics.

Results. There was no statistically significant difference in OCT biomarkers between uveitic and radiation-induced ME except for epiretinal membrane — this OCT biomarker was more common in radiation ME (p = 0.041). The presence of hyperreflective foci, ellipsoid zone disruption and DRIL in radiation-induced and uveitic ME were associated with lower BCVA (p < 0.001). The presence of subretinal detachment was characteristic for the onset ME (p = 0.002), while recurrent ME associated with a greater central retinal thickness, ellipsoid zone disruption (p = 0.029) and DRIL (p = 0.036).

Conclusion. Radiation-induced and uveitic ME do not differ significantly in their OCT morphostructural characteristics and central retinal thickness. The recurrent course of radiation-induced and uveitic ME is characterized by the presence of ellipsoid zone disruption and DRIL, as well as greater central retinal thickness. Ellipsoid zone disruption, DRIL, and hyperreflective foci associated with lower BCVA in patients with uveitic and radiation-induced ME.

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