Morphological characterization of subretinal hyper-reflective material in posterior uveitis using swept-source optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose: To analyze the structural features of subretinal hyper-reflective material (SHRM) in posterior uveitis using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Methods: In this observational study, subjects with quiescent posterior uveitis and the presence of SHRM on SS-OCT were subjected to SS-OCTA to identify the presence of an intrinsic choroidal neovascular (CNV) network. OCT features were compared for SHRM harboring CNV (vascular SHRM) with those without CNV network (avascular SHRM) to identify clinical signs pointing toward the presence of CNVM inside SHRM. Results: Forty-two eyes of 33 subjects (18 males; mean age: 29.52 ± 12.56 years) were evaluated. Two-thirds (28/42) of eyes having SHRM on SS-OCT harbored intrinsic neovascular network (vascular SHRM). Increased reflectivity of SHRM (P < 0.001) and increased transmission of OCT signal underlying SHRM (P = 0.03) were suggestive of the absence of CNVM. The presence of intra/subretinal fluid (P = 0.08) and pitchfork sign (P = 0.017) were important markers of vascular SHRM. Conclusion: SHRM is an important OCT finding in eyes with posterior uveitis. Meticulous assessment of SHRM characteristics on SS-OCT can aid in identifying the underlying intrinsic neovascular network.