Combined use of SLO microperimetry and OCT for retinal functional and structural testing

Abstract

This study compared SLO microperimetry scotoma size measurements with the sizes of lesions assessed with OCT in the areas of scotoma. SLO microperimetry was performed on eight patients to assess the location and extent of scotoma areas. An SLO microperimetry master image was used to localize the scotoma areas in the real time OCT fundus image and to center OCT cross scans on the areas of scotoma. The sizes of the morphological changes measured by OCT were compared with the scotoma size measurements. In each patient, OCT revealed a morphological change located in the area of scotoma. Scotoma sizes ranged from 465 to 3180 microm horizontally and from 570 to 2550 microm vertically. The corresponding lesion sizes ranged from 461 to 2660 microm horizontally and from 523 to 2282 microm vertically. The average difference between SLO and OCT measurements was 2.4% horizontally and 4.9% vertically. There were significant correlations between horizontal and vertical SLO and OCT measurements (Horizontal: R (sq)=0.955, P<0.0001; Vertical: R (sq)=0.898, P=0.0003). SLO microperimetry scotoma size measurements and OCT lesion size measurements are similar to each other. Combining retinal functional testing with morphological testing provides information about the underlying causes of scotoma.