Purpose: To assess the sensitivity of ultra-wide-field fundus autofluorescence (UWF-FAF) in comparison to fundus photography and clinical examination in diagnosing inherited retinal diseases in difficult-to-examine children.
Methods: In this single-center, non-invasive observational study, children with suspected inherited retinal disease were examined clinically and then underwent UWF imaging (color fundus imaging and fundus autofluorescence) using the Optos Tx-200 imaging system (Optos, Dunfermline, United Kingdom). Patient ages ranged from 1 to 13 years (mean: 5.6 years).
Results: The study included 112 eyes of 59 patients. Image acquisition was successful even in small children. UWF-FAF was the most sensitive in detecting the disease (94.9%), followed by UWF-CF (67.7%) and clinical examination (49.1%).
Conclusions: UWF-FAF is superior to fundus photography and clinical examination in detecting pathology in children with suspected inherited retinal diseases. It is a feasible, non-invasive, and quick tool that provides important clinical information in treating these patients. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(6):383-387.].
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