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Retinal imaging a first-line defense for diagnosing macular symptoms
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 Carmen A. Puliafito |
Retinal imaging devices can improve clinical results when they are used as front-line diagnostic tools, according to a speaker.
Optical coherence tomography and digital fundus photography "should be in every comprehensive ophthalmologist's office in the country," OSN Retina/Vitreous Section Editor Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, said at Hawaiian Eye 2011.
According to Dr. Puliafito, OCT is safe, noninvasive and easy to interpret, and it should be used on any patient with macular symptoms or vision loss, those with long-term macular disorders and those being treated with drops.
Digital fundus photography can be combined with OCT to follow patient progress. Dr. Puliafito said that photography is important because drawings cannot accurately depict the optic disc and macula. He suggested writing "explicit interpretations" of every image to include with electronic medical records.
While he considers angiography to be an accurate diagnostic tool, Dr. Puliafito said it should be reserved for retinal specialists.
"The risk and expense associated with angiography probably is outweighed by the benefit of OCT," he said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Puliafito receives royalties from Massachusetts Eye and Ear as co-inventor of the original OCT, and he is a consultant for Carl Zeiss Meditec.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2012 will be held January 15-20 at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa in Maui. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com or RetinaMeeting.com.