Retromode Infrared Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

Purpose: This study examined six patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease using retromode infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (RMI-SLO).

Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of the medical records of six patients diagnosed with VKH disease. The RMI-SLO images were compared to those obtained using color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and dye-based retinal angiography.

Results: In the acute phase of VKH disease, RMI-SLO revealed pseudo-three-dimensional (3D) regions and wavy patterns. These observations corresponded to the areas of serous retinal detachment (sRD) and choroidal folds identified on OCT. Notably, the detection of pseudo-3D regions by RMI-SLO proved to be more effective than color fundus photography in identifying sRDs. Hyper-reflective lines inside the sRDs were observed in the RMI-SLO images and were consistent with the fibrinous membranes observed in the OCT images. The hyper-reflective choroidal vasculature in RMI-SLO images was notably absent, a finding like the fuzzy pattern of large stromal choroidal vessels observed in indocyanine green angiography images. Following steroid treatment, these abnormal findings reverted to normal.

Conclusions: RMI-SLO imaging could serve as an alternative option for both pre- and post-treatment assessments in VKH disease. Moreover, it has the potential to reduce the need for retinal angiography.

Key messages: What is known Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) are essential for the diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. However, it is difficult to visualize a wide area of the fundus with OCT, and ICGA carries risks of allergic reactions or shock. What is new Retromode infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (RMI-SLO) can demonstrate pseudo-three-dimensional regions and wavy patterns corresponding to serous retinal detachment and choroidal folds in the acute stage of VKH disease. Hyper-reflective choroidal vasculature was absent in the acute stage of VKH disease on RMI-SLO and may correlate with choroidal thickening. RMI-SLO could be an alternative option for the assessment of VKH disease and has the potential to reduce the need for dye-based retinal angiography.