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Ultra-widefield angiography remains useful in assessing macula, peripheral retina
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 Steven D. Schwartz |
WAILEA, Hawaii — Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography remains an important clinical tool, according to one presenter here.
Steven D. Schwartz, MD, shared his long-term clinical experiences using ultra-widefield angiography at Retina 2012.
"For me, anyone that we are imaging who has retinal vascular disease gets an ultra-widefield angiogram, period, full stop," Dr. Schwartz said. "There is no way you can talk me out of it at this point. We have a broad and deep experience with diabetics, vein occlusions and other retinal vascular diseases."
"We are absolutely convinced we have high resolution of macular pathology combined with what is really a pretty panoramic view."
"You're casting a 200° net over the angiographic field. It's Google Earth," Dr. Schwartz said. "I tell people it is as if when you are looking in your garage for something at night, and you open the door and you have a weak little flashlight. You can get a little spot on the back wall and you can look around and you can see some things. If you get a bigger torch, you can see more things, but what you get with this is equivalent to turning the lights on so you can see everything."
Advantages of ultra-widefield angiography include a 200° field of view, simultaneous imaging and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, he said. Disadvantages include some peripheral distortion, the amount of space the machine occupies and eyelash artifact. He noted that the price has come down quite a bit, but it remains expensive.
Dr. Schwartz said that ultra-widefield angiography is indicated for pediatric retina cases as well. "It's very easy and good for pediatric angiography because it has a very good depth of focus, so if the child pulls back a little bit, you are still in focus," he said.
"In summary, ultra-widefield angiography is terrific for assessing the macula and peripheral retina, and it is important for routine patient care as well as advancing research," he said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Schwartz has no relevant financial disclosures.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2013 will be held January 20-25, 2013, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii's Big Island. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com or RetinaMeeting.com.