Outer retinal tubulations (ORT) are tubular structures that are visualized on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in single B-scans as nonedematous circular or ovoid structures at the level of the outer nuclear layer. It is most commonly seen in exudative age-related macular degeneration and pseudoxanthoma elasticum, as well as in multifocal choroiditis, panuveitis, geographic atrophy, central serous chorioretinopathy, polypoid choroidal neovascularization, choroideremia and some other diseases related to outer retinal structural damage. ORT is the structure of dislocation junction of outer membrane and ellipsoid band in the process of self-repair after destroyed. Cystoid retinal edema, subretinal fluid and photoreceptor layer damage are important factors for ORT formation. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs cannot make ORT disappear, and distinguishing between ORT and retinal cystoid edema is helpful to avoid unnecessary anti-VEGF treatment. ORT has a certain predictive value for the prognosis of vision, and has guiding significance for clinical treatment. However, the mechanism of ORT formation and its relationship with clinical practice are not yet fully understood. More advanced imaging equipment and a large number of cases are needed to study the formation of ORT and its relationship with classical choroidal neovascularization, retinal fibrous scarring and retinal atrophy.

Citation： Wang Xiaoling, Chen Changzheng. Outer retinal tubulations. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2018, 34(5): 512-514. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1005-1015.2018.05.024 Copy