Background and objective: To study the morphological features of the macula of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and visual acuities of 20/200 or less as examined by optical coherence tomography.
Patients and methods: In an observational case series study, 42 eyes (21 patients) with retinitis pigmentosa and visual acuities of 20/200 or less were evaluated by optical coherence tomography.
Results: Thirty-four (81%) eyes had atrophic retina (group 1) and 8 (19%) eyes had cystoid macular edema (group 2). The mean visual acuity was 20/1000 in group 1 and 20/300 in group 2. Epiretinal membrane was identified in 27 (64.3%) eyes.
Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography is a more sensitive method in detecting macular pathology and can help in selecting cases where treatment may be applied.
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