Purpose To compare images of photoreceptor layer disruptions obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) in a variety of pathologic states. Methods Five subjects with photoreceptor ellipsoid zone disruption as per OCT and clinical diagnoses of closed-globe blunt ocular trauma (cg-BOT; n = 2), macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel; n = 1), blue cone monochromacy (BCM; n = 1) or cone-rod dystrophy (CRD; n = 1) were included. Images were acquired within and around photoreceptor lesions using spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT), confocal AOSLO and split-detector AOSLO. Results There were substantial differences in the extent and appearance of the photoreceptor mosaic as revealed by confocal AOSLO, split-detector AOSLO and SD-OCT en face view of the ellipsoid zone (EZ). Conclusions Clinically available SD-OCT, viewed en face or as B-scan, may lead to misinterpretation of photoreceptor anatomy in a variety of diseases and injuries. This was demonstrated using split-detector AOSLO to reveal substantial populations of photoreceptors in areas of no, low, or ambiguous EZ reflectivity with en face OCT and confocal AOSLO. While it is unclear if these photoreceptors are functional, their presence offers hope for therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring photoreceptor function.

Purpose To evaluate outer retinal structural abnormalities in patients with visual deficits following closed globe blunt ocular trauma (cgBOT). Methods Nine subjects with visual complaints following cgBOT were examined between 1 month post-trauma and 6 years post-trauma. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to assess outer retinal architecture, while adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) was used to analyze photoreceptor mosaic integrity. Results Visual deficits ranged from central scotomas to decreased visual acuity. SD-OCT defects included focal foveal photoreceptor lesions, variable attenuation of the interdigitation zone, and mottling of the outer segment band, with one subject having normal outer retinal structure. AOSLO revealed disruption of the photoreceptor mosaic in all subjects, variably manifesting as foveal focal discontinuities, perifoveal hyporeflective cones, and paracentral regions of selective cone loss. Conclusions We observe persistent outer retinal disruption in subjects with visual complaints following cgBOT, albeit to a variable degree. AOSLO imaging allows assessment of photoreceptor structure at a level of detail not resolvable using SD-OCT or other current clinical imaging tools. Multimodal imaging appears useful for revealing the cause of visual complaints in patients following cgBOT. Future studies are needed to better understand how photoreceptor structure changes longitudinally in response to various trauma.

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ObjectivePrevious work using adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) imaging has shown photoreceptor disruption to be a common finding in head and ocular trauma patients. Here an expanded trauma population was examined using a novel imaging technique, split-detector AOSLO, to assess remnant cone structure in areas with significant disruption on confocal AOSLO imaging and to follow photoreceptor changes longitudinally.Methods and AnalysisEight eyes from seven subjects with head and/or ocular trauma underwent imaging with spectral domain optical coherence tomography, confocal AOSLO and split-detector AOSLO to assess foveal and parafoveal photoreceptor structure.ResultsConfocal AOSLO imaging revealed hyporeflective foveal regions in two of eight eyes. Split-detector imaging within the hyporeflective confocal areas showed both remnant and absent inner-segment structure. Both of these eyes were imaged longitudinally and showed variation of the photoreceptor mosaic over time. Four other eyes demonstrated subclinical regions of abnormal waveguiding photoreceptors on multimodal AOSLO imagery but were otherwise normal. Two eyes demonstrated normal foveal cone packing without disruption.ConclusionMultimodal imaging can detect subtle photoreceptor abnormalities not necessarily detected by conventional clinical imaging. The addition of split-detector AOSLO revealed the variable condition of inner segments within confocal photoreceptor disruption, confirming the usefulness of dual-modality AOSLO imaging in assessing photoreceptor structure and integrity. Longitudinal imaging demonstrated the dynamic nature of the photoreceptor mosaic after trauma. Multimodal imaging with dual-modality AOSLO improves understanding of visual symptoms and photoreceptor structure changes in patients with head and ocular trauma.