Hyperreflective foci distribution in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration with subretinal drusenoid deposits

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the distribution of hyperreflective foci (HRF) in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of 58 dry AMD eyes presenting HRF. The distribution of HRF according to the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study area was analyzed according to the presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs).

Results: We classified 32 eyes and 26 eyes into the dry AMD with SDD group (SDD group) and dry AMD without SDD group (non-SDD group), respectively. The non-SDD group had higher prevalence and density of HRF at the fovea (65.4% and 1.71 ± 1.48) than the SDD group (37.5% and 0.48 ± 0.63, P = 0.035 and P < 0.001, respectively). However, the prevalence and density of HRF in the outer circle area of the SDD group (81.3% and 0.11 ± 0.09) were greater than those of the non-SDD group (53.8% and 0.05 ± 0.06, p = 0.025 and p = 0.004, respectively). The SDD group showed higher prevalence and mean densities of HRF in the superior and temporal area than in the non-SDD group (all, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: HRF distributions in dry AMD varied according to the presence of SDDs. This might support that the degenerative features may be different between dry AMD eyes with and without SDDs.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Drusen; Hyperreflective foci; Subretinal drusenoid deposit.