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Importance of optical coherence tomography and electroretinogram in senile retinoschisis

Retinoschisis diagnosis can be very difficult in atypical forms. Special exams are necessary to differentiate retinoschisis from other pathologies such as retinal detachment. Case Report: A 61-year-old black woman presented for routine examination. Fundus of the right eye reveled a superior periphery lesion extending to the posterior pole. The ultrassonography of the same eye showed a high reflective membrane. An inferior field absolute scotoma was detected. The OCT scan that was positioned at lesion in the outer retinal break demonstrated the fragmentation of the retinal layer. The scotopic ERG showed a reduction of the b wave amplitude of the right eye compared to the left eye (Negative electroretinogram). The multifocal ERG was normal in both eyes. The OCT demonstrated to be an useful toll to detect morphological alterations. The ERG and the absolute scotoma in the inferior field, demonstrated the retinal functional defect. A negative electroretinogram, showed a normal a wave and a reduced b wave demonstrating that the photoreceptor inner segments were relatively intact and that the initial damage in this disorder would seem to occur in the inner retinal layers. In doubtful cases especial exams are necessary and a careful investigation must confirm the diagnosis. The indications for treatment should be seriously analysed to avoid any intervention that can be harmful for the patient's prognosis.

Retinoschisis; Electroretinography; Retinal detachment; Tomography, optical coherence; Aged


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