Ultra-widefield imaging visualizes DR outside ETDRS standard fields
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WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Developments in widefield imaging continue to progress at a rapid pace and the technology may have a place in detecting and staging diabetic retinopathy, according to a speaker here.
Historically, diabetic retinopathy severity has been staged based on ETDRS seven standard fields; however, recent pilot studies that looked beyond those fields using ultra-widefield imaging found patients with peripheral lesions were at increased risk for progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, told colleagues at Retina 2016.
SriniVas Sadda
“There is the potential for a change in how we think about this disease,” Sadda said.
The key question under study was whether the distribution of diabetic retinopathy lesions outside the ETDRS seven standard fields was associated with differences in diabetic retinopathy progression.
According to Sadda, the DRCR.net is following up this question with Protocol AA, in which patients will be followed for 5 years to determine the predictive factor of peripheral lesions on the progression of diabetic eye disease.
“The important thing, though, is there’s a lot of diabetic retinopathy that we are missing,” Sadda said. “And, I think we can look at this as a potential opportunity.” – by Patricia Nale, ELS
Reference:
Sadda S. Advances in widefield imaging: New Developments. Presented at: Retina 2016; Jan. 18-23, 2016; Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Sadda reports he is a consultant for and has received research grant support from Optos, maker of ultra-widefield imaging devices.