Retromode Imaging Technology for Detecting Drusen-Like Deposits in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the ability of retromode imaging technology to visualize drusen-like deposits (DLDs) in the macular region of healthy individuals without retinal diseases. Additionally, the correlation between subject age and the density of DLDs was assessed and their topographic distribution was evaluated.

Design: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study SUBJECTS: Healthy volunteers (aged ≥ 35 years) without macular diseases.

Methods: This study evaluated macular images in healthy adults using color fundus photography (FP) and retromode imaging. Two masked graders counted the number of DLDs identifiable with each modality. The standardized ETDRS concentric rings were adopted to divide DLDs based on their topographic distribution.

Main outcome measures: Comparison of the number of DLDs detected with each imaging modality. The association between DLDs and age. The topographic distribution of macular DLDs with retromode imaging.

Results: The study included 91 eyes of 52 healthy volunteers (mean ± standard deviation age, 57.9 ± 10.9 years; range, 36-82 years). Overall, at least 1 DLD was present in 63.74% of eyes on color FP and 96.71% on retromode. Retromode imaging allowed detection of significantly more DLDs compared with color FP within the ETDRS grid (median [interquartile range], 4 [1-14] vs. 0 [0-0] respectively; P < 0.001). The density of DLDs was higher in the outer and inner rings compared with the central subfield (relative risk [RR], 16.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.3-27.3 vs. RR 17.1; 95% CI, 10.5-27.6, respectively). Age was significantly correlated with DLDs density in all 3 sectors (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Retromode technology allowed the detection of a significantly higher number of DLDs compared with FP in the macula of healthy individuals. This noninvasive imaging modality could be used to investigate the effect of the aging process on the macula, fostering a better understanding of the pathophysiology of age-related macular diseases.

Financial disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Keywords: Aging; Color fundus photography; Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy; Drusen; Drusen-like deposits; Retromode.