Peripheral retinal changes detected by ultra-widefield non-mydriatic photography in asymptomatic subjects

Abstract

Objective: Ultra wide field photography requires no mydriasis, evaluates 200° of the retina and is adequate to detect overlooked retinal changes, with a risk of retinal detachment in asymptomatic subjects; we identified the frequency of peripheral retinal changes and changes with risk of retinal detachment, in a sample of asymptomatic phakic subjects. Materials and methods: Non-experimental, analytical, prospective, crosssectional study in subjects aged 40-70 years, of any gender, without previous intraocular surgery or symptoms of retinal tears (photopsia, eritrhopsia, peripheral scotoma). We obtained ultra wide field retinal photographs (without mydriasis) with the Optos device and identified the proportion and 95% confidence intervals (C.I.) of the sample that had peripheral retinal changes and changes with risk of retinal detachment (retinal holes, subclinical retinal detachments). This proportion was compared between genders and age groups (χ2). Results: 1204 eyes of 602 subjects (mean age 59,92 standard deviation ± 7,83 years), 74,41% of the subjects were female. 16,61% of the sample had peripheral retinal changes (95% C.I. 13,64-19,58), 1% of the sample has changes with risk of retinal detachment. Peripheral retinal changes were more frequent in the 50- 59 years age group and in women. Myopia over -6.00 diopters was infrequent in eyes with risk of retinal detachment. Conclusions: Ultra wide field photography helped to prove, without the need of mydriasis, that there is a low prevalence of peripheral retinal changes and changes with risk of retinal detachment, in phakic asymptomatic subjects. Key words: Photography, Retina, Diagnostic imaging