Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema

Abstract Background Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual loss in individuals with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aims to investigate the effects of central macular intraretinal cysts on the underlying outer retinal layer (ORL) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME)....

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Main Authors: Micael Valtoni Dantas do Nascimento, Claudio Iovino, Po Hsiang Shawn Yuan, Haaris M. Khan, Leonardo Provetti Cunha, Leandro Cabral Zacharias, Nehemias Lacerda, Eduardo Navajas, Mario L. R. Monteiro, Rony C. Preti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-024-00605-w
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author Micael Valtoni Dantas do Nascimento
Claudio Iovino
Po Hsiang Shawn Yuan
Haaris M. Khan
Leonardo Provetti Cunha
Leandro Cabral Zacharias
Nehemias Lacerda
Eduardo Navajas
Mario L. R. Monteiro
Rony C. Preti
author_facet Micael Valtoni Dantas do Nascimento
Claudio Iovino
Po Hsiang Shawn Yuan
Haaris M. Khan
Leonardo Provetti Cunha
Leandro Cabral Zacharias
Nehemias Lacerda
Eduardo Navajas
Mario L. R. Monteiro
Rony C. Preti
author_sort Micael Valtoni Dantas do Nascimento
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual loss in individuals with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aims to investigate the effects of central macular intraretinal cysts on the underlying outer retinal layer (ORL) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods In this retrospective and cross-sectional study, diabetic patients with or without DR were categorized into three groups: without DME (group 1), with DME but without any cyst featuring a plateau in the lower region (group 2), and patients with cyst featuring an inferior cyst plateau (group 3), defined as a flat conformation at its posterior aspect. Variables such as central macular intraretinal cyst height, inferior cyst plateau, and ORL thickness were measured, and ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption was assessed via Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and compared between groups. Correlations between OCT-measured variables and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were investigated. Results A total of 164 eyes were included: 48 in group 1, 47 in group 2 and 69 in group 3. Compared with Groups 1 and 2, Group 3 presented a greater intraretinal cyst height (p < 0.001), a thinner mean ORL beneath the cysts (p < 0.0001) and more frequent EZ disruption (p < 0.0001), which was associated with lower BCVA values. Cyst height, cyst plateau and ORL thickness were significantly correlated with BCVA (p < 0.0001). EZ disruption was associated with the cyst height, the cyst plateau and the underlying ORL thickness. Correlations were observed between cyst height and ORL thickness (r = − 0.32, p < 0.001), between cyst height and cyst plateau (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), and between cyst plateau and ORL thickness (r = − 0.56, p < 0.001). Every increase of 10 μm in plateau width and in cyst height results in reductions of 0.16 μm and 0.29 μm in ORL thickness, respectively, independent of the other parameters. The optimal cutoff point for cyst height that best discriminates plateau formation was determined to be 130.5 μm, with a sensitivity of 89.9% and specificity of 83%. Conclusions In patients with DME, large central intraretinal cysts may assume a flat configuration in their lower region, termed a plateau, and are associated with photoreceptor damage due to compression, which can result in visual impairment. These findings can be understood based on modified Hertz’s mechanical contact theory.
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spelling doaj-art-d69489c7f5d846a2946fdb39c5214d5c2024-11-10T12:36:32ZengBMCInternational Journal of Retina and Vitreous2056-99202024-11-0110111210.1186/s40942-024-00605-wStructural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edemaMicael Valtoni Dantas do Nascimento0Claudio Iovino1Po Hsiang Shawn Yuan2Haaris M. Khan3Leonardo Provetti Cunha4Leandro Cabral Zacharias5Nehemias Lacerda6Eduardo Navajas7Mario L. R. Monteiro8Rony C. Preti9Division of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical SchoolMultidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Campania Luigi VanvitelliFaculty of Medicine, University of British ColumbiaFaculty of Medicine, University of British ColumbiaDivision of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical SchoolDivision of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical SchoolPhD in aeronautics, physics and fluids, California Institute of TechnologyDivision of Ophthalmology, University of British ColumbiaDivision of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical SchoolDivision of Ophthalmology, University of São Paulo Medical SchoolAbstract Background Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual loss in individuals with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aims to investigate the effects of central macular intraretinal cysts on the underlying outer retinal layer (ORL) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods In this retrospective and cross-sectional study, diabetic patients with or without DR were categorized into three groups: without DME (group 1), with DME but without any cyst featuring a plateau in the lower region (group 2), and patients with cyst featuring an inferior cyst plateau (group 3), defined as a flat conformation at its posterior aspect. Variables such as central macular intraretinal cyst height, inferior cyst plateau, and ORL thickness were measured, and ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption was assessed via Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and compared between groups. Correlations between OCT-measured variables and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were investigated. Results A total of 164 eyes were included: 48 in group 1, 47 in group 2 and 69 in group 3. Compared with Groups 1 and 2, Group 3 presented a greater intraretinal cyst height (p < 0.001), a thinner mean ORL beneath the cysts (p < 0.0001) and more frequent EZ disruption (p < 0.0001), which was associated with lower BCVA values. Cyst height, cyst plateau and ORL thickness were significantly correlated with BCVA (p < 0.0001). EZ disruption was associated with the cyst height, the cyst plateau and the underlying ORL thickness. Correlations were observed between cyst height and ORL thickness (r = − 0.32, p < 0.001), between cyst height and cyst plateau (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), and between cyst plateau and ORL thickness (r = − 0.56, p < 0.001). Every increase of 10 μm in plateau width and in cyst height results in reductions of 0.16 μm and 0.29 μm in ORL thickness, respectively, independent of the other parameters. The optimal cutoff point for cyst height that best discriminates plateau formation was determined to be 130.5 μm, with a sensitivity of 89.9% and specificity of 83%. Conclusions In patients with DME, large central intraretinal cysts may assume a flat configuration in their lower region, termed a plateau, and are associated with photoreceptor damage due to compression, which can result in visual impairment. These findings can be understood based on modified Hertz’s mechanical contact theory.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-024-00605-wCystsMacular edemaDiabetic retinopathyTomography, optical coherence
spellingShingle Micael Valtoni Dantas do Nascimento
Claudio Iovino
Po Hsiang Shawn Yuan
Haaris M. Khan
Leonardo Provetti Cunha
Leandro Cabral Zacharias
Nehemias Lacerda
Eduardo Navajas
Mario L. R. Monteiro
Rony C. Preti
Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
Cysts
Macular edema
Diabetic retinopathy
Tomography, optical coherence
title Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
title_full Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
title_fullStr Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
title_full_unstemmed Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
title_short Structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
title_sort structural effects of intraretinal cysts on outer retinal layers in eyes with diabetic macular edema
topic Cysts
Macular edema
Diabetic retinopathy
Tomography, optical coherence
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-024-00605-w
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