Título / Title

NOVEL INSIGHTS REGARDING RETINAL MONOCHROMATIC BLUE-CHANNEL IMAGE APPLICATION AS A NON-PERFUSION BIOMARKER – A MULTIMODAL RETINAL IMAGING STUDY

Introdução / Purpose

Enhance understanding of the utilization of retinal monochromatic blue-channel images as a non-perfusion biomarker.

Material e Método / Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional image analysis using a convenience sample.The study involved a retrospective review of images from three cases. Two cases demonstrated peripheral retinal nonperfusion identified through widefield fluorescein angiography, while one case exhibited focal macular nonperfusion detected by OCTA. The areas of nonperfused retinal tissue, confirmed by both fluorescein angiography and OCTA, were then correlated with findings from the blue channel image. This correlation aimed to identify any potential associations between them.

Resultados / Results

The perfusion defects identified through fluorescein angiography were found to precisely align with hypo-reflective regions observed in the blue channel monochromatic images. Additionally, a notable correlation was observed between the OCTA deep capillary plexus findings and the blue channel images. The areas of retinal thinning identified on the structural OCT thickness map were also found to correspond with the hypo-reflective regions in the blue channel images.

Discussão e Conclusões / Conclusion

This study reinforces the evidence, through angiographic correlation, that the monochromatic blue channel can effectively identify areas of retinal non-perfusion in a non-invasive manner. Further research is warranted to assess the method's sensitivity, specificity, and limitations. While the interaction of blue light with the retina, leading to specular reflections and scattering, is established, this research represents a pioneering effort in suggesting which specific retinal structures may be implicated in this phenomenon. This novel insight opens avenues for deeper exploration into the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications of utilizing the blue channel imaging technique for assessing retinal vascular abnormalities.

Palavras Chave

fluorescein angiography; optical coherence tomography angiography; blue channel; color fundus imaging

Area

CLINICAL RETINA

Institutions

Orbit - Ophthalmo Learning - Salvador - Bahia - Brasil

Authors

RICARDO LUZ LEITÃO GUERRA, GABRIEL CASTILHO, CEZAR LUZ LEITÃO GUERRA, EMMERSON BADARO, LUIZ ROISMAN, LUIZ FILIPE ADAMI LUCATTO, EDUARDO AMORIM NOVAIS