Correlation of spectral optical coherence tomography with fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome

Aims: To determine the spatial location of lesions in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) with the aid of spectral optical coherence topography (SOCT), fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Methods: A novel method of three-dimensional SOCT data analysis called reflectivity maps was introduced. The reflectivity maps display the distribution of a back-reflected intensity taken only from individual retinal layers located at specific distance from the reference plane. Reflectivity maps of the inner retina, the junction between photoreceptor inner and outer segments (IS/OS), retinal pigment epithelium and choroid of the patient with MEWDS were created and correlated with FA and ICGA. Results: During the acute stage of MEWDS, the reflectivity map of the IS/OS junction displayed areas of reduced reflectivity that showed a strong positive correlation with hypofluorescent ICGA spots and a weaker but positive correlation with hyperfluorescent FA dots. SOCT examination did not reveal any pathological changes involving either any other retinal layers or the inner choroid. Conclusion: Disseminated disruptions of the IS/OS junction seen on SOCT cross-sectional images in the acute stage of MEWDS form the pattern of spots that can be correlated with those revealed by ICGA. This suggests that hypofluorescent ICGA spots indicate alternations in the retinal pigment epithelium-photoreceptor complex and do not represent inflammatory choroidal lesions.