Imager detects high prevalence of retinal abnormalities in general population

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A non-mydriatic optical imager from Optos detected a high prevalence of retinal abnormalities in a population with little or no known eye disease, according to a poster presentation here.

“The Panoramic 200A facilitates an effective means of screening for retinal abnormalities in subjects who might otherwise be reluctant or disinclined to present for dilated funduscopic examinations,” J. King, MD, and colleagues reported at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting.

In the study, 512 eyes of 269 participants were voluntarily screened for retinal abnormalities in an exhibit hall setting. Only 26% of eyes were considered to be within “normal” physiological limits, the authors said.

Retinal images were obtained and reviewed by an ophthalmologist who found drusen in 19.1% of participants, macular drusen in 11.3% of participants and “suspicious” optic nerves with apparent thinning of the neural rim in 9.2% of participants. Nearly 44% of eyes had peripapillary pigment atrophy, 16.1% had peripheral pigmentary changes, and choroidal nevi were apparent in 6.9% of eyes.

Study authors noted that few subjects were aware of their existing eye disease. In a company press release, Optos officials said that the instrument “appears to offer distinct advantages over standard 30° fluorescein angiography, particularly with respect to diabetic retinopathy.”

Optos added that the imager may be an option for evaluation and treatment of ocular oncologic pathology.