Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Outer retinal thickness and choriocapillaris visibility in dogs and
By Mischi, Elisa et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2022·Equine Department·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Outer retinal thickness and visibility of the choriocapillaris in four distinct retinal regions imaged with spectral domain optical coherence tomography in dogs and cats.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at the thickness of a specific part of the retina and how well a tiny blood vessel layer is visible in healthy dogs and cats using a special imaging technique called spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Researchers analyzed images from 10 dogs and 12 cats, measuring the thickness of the outer nuclear layer and other retinal structures in different areas of the eye. They found that the blood vessel layer was visible in over 90% of the images, and the thinnest part of the retina was in a region that resembles a fovea, which is important for sharp vision. The outer retina was thicker in the central area compared to other parts of the eye. Overall, the study suggests that these imaging techniques can help veterinarians better understand and evaluate specific areas of the retina in dogs and cats.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the outer retinal band thickness and choriocapillaris (CC) visibility in four distinct retinal regions in dogs and cats imaged with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). To attempt delineation of a fovea-like region in canine and feline SD-OCT scans, aided by the identification of outer retinal thickness differences between retinal regions. METHODS: Spectralis® HRA + OCT SD-OCT scans from healthy, anesthetized dogs (n = 10) and cats (n = 12) were analyzed. Scanlines on which the CC was identifiable were counted and CC visibility was scored. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and the distances from external limiting membrane (ELM) to retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's membrane complex (RPE/BM) and ELM to CC were measured in the area centralis (AC), a visually identified fovea-like region, and in regions superior and inferior to the optic nerve head (ONH). Measurements were analyzed using a multilevel regression. RESULTS: The CC was visible in over 90% of scanlines from dogs and cats. The ONL was consistently thinnest in the fovea-like region. The outer retina (ELM-RPE and ELM-CC) was thickest within the AC compared with superior and inferior to the ONH in dogs and cats (p < .001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The CC appears a valid, albeit less than ideal outer retinal boundary marker in tapetal species. The AC can be objectively differentiated from the surrounding retina on SD-OCT images of dogs and cats; a fovea-like region was identified in dogs and its presence was suggested in cats. These findings allow targeted imaging and image evaluation of these regions of retinal specialization.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35611616/