The effect of vitreous opacities on stray light measurements

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To evaluate in patients with unilateral complaint of floaters there is an increase in stray light measurements as compared to the contralateral eye.Methods A retrospective series of patients with a unilateral complaint of floaters having undergone a straylight measurement (SM) with a C‐Quant (Oculus, Germany). Data was collected on age and status of the lens. Patients having undergone vitreous surgery in either eye were excluded. The contralateral unaffected eye measurements were used as controls. A second control group consisted in patients with a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).Results Thirty‐four study eyes (n=34) were included, 11 with a diagnosis of PVD and 23 with floater complaints. The mean age for all eyes (floaters and PVD) was 59.29 years, with no statistically significant differences between groups. Distributed by sex, 14 cases were males, and 20 females. Mean straylight values in the eyes with floaters was of 1.436 (SD=0.208), in the control eye 1.258 (SD=0.199); p<0.01. Straylight in eyes with a PVD 1.241 (SD= 0.251) were similar to the control eye 1.197 (SD=0.139) and did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion Straylight measurements are increased in the eyes with symptomatic floaters. A PVD even when clearly visible on OCT does not increase retinal straylight.