Optical coherence tomography characteristics in eyes with optic pit maculopathy.

Objective: To study the optical coherence tomography characteristics of optic pit maculopathy and propose the anatomical pathophysiology of fluid conduit from pit to macula.

Methods: The charts of 32 patients (32 eyes) with the diagnosis of optic pit maculopathy were reviewed. Clinical variables that were studied included duration of visual impairment, initial visual acuity, and associated fundus features. Optical coherence tomography characteristics including communication with pit, layer of retina involved in schisis, and presence of subretinal fluid were noted.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 27.8 years, and the mean duration of visual impairment was 21.8 months. Seventeen eyes (53.12%) had combined outer and inner layer schisis with subretinal fluid, whereas 12 eyes (37.5%) presented with outer layer schisis and subretinal fluid. Two eyes (6.25%) had outer layer schisis only, and only 1 eye (3.12%) presented with schisis of both inner and outer layers only.

Conclusions: The authors propose a possible pathway of fluid movement in optic pit maculopathy: fluid first seeps into the outer retinal layer and then involves the other layers.