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Image-assisted fundus exams show advantages over traditional, study says
The detection of retinal lesions can be enhanced with image-assisted fundus examination vs. traditional fundus examination alone, according to a recently published study.
Included in the study by Brown and colleagues were 339 eyes of 170 subjects who were imaged using a nonmydriatic ultrawide field scanning laser ophthalmoscope, followed by both a traditional and an image-assisted fundus exam, in random order. During the image-assisted method, ultrawide field scanning laser ophthalmoscopic images were reviewed in conjunction with a dilated fundus exam.
When results disagreed, statistically significant advantages were observed with the image-assisted method over the traditional method. Areas where the image-assisted method was found to be better included detecting suspicious cupping (P = .04); drusen in the macula (P = .004) and mid-to-peripheral retina (P < .001); retinal pigment epithelial changes in the macula (P = .04); nevi in the macula (P = .01) and mid-to-peripheral retina (P = .007); peripheral retinal degeneration (P < .001); hemorrhage in the mid-to-peripheral retina (P = .01); and vitreous lesions (P < .001).