Multispectral Fundus Photography of Choroidal Nevi with Trans-Palpebral Illumination

Abstract

Purpose:

To investigate the spectral characteristics of choroidal nevi and assess the feasibility of quantifying the basal diameter of choroidal nevi using multispectral fundus images captured with trans-palpebral illumination.

Methods:

The study employed a widefield fundus camera with multispectral (625 nm, 780 nm, 850 nm, and 970 nm) trans-palpebral illumination. Geometric features of choroidal nevi, including border clarity, overlying drusen, and lesion basal diameter, were characterized. Clinical imagers, including scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), autofluorescence (AF), and optical coherence tomography (OCT), were utilized for comparative assessment.

Results:

Fundus images captured with trans-palpebral illumination depicted nevi as dark regions with high contrast against the background. Near-infrared (NIR) fundus images provided enhanced visibility of lesion borders compared to visible light fundus images and SLO images. Lesion-background contrast measurements revealed 635 nm SLO at 11% and 625 nm fundus at 42%. Significantly enhanced contrasts were observed in NIR fundus images at 780 nm (73%), 850 nm (63%), and 970 nm (67%). For quantifying the basal diameter of nevi, NIR fundus images at 780 nm and 850 nm yielded a deviation of less than 10% when compared to OCT B-scan measurements.

Conclusion:

NIR fundus photography with trans-palpebral illumination enhances nevi visibility and boundary definition compared to SLO. Agreement in basal diameter measurements with OCT validates the accuracy and reliability of this method for choroidal nevi assessment.

Translational Relevance:

Multispectral fundus imaging with trans-palpebral illumination improves choroidal nevi visibility, accurately measures basal diameter, promising to enhance clinical practices in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of choroidal nevi.