On spectral-domain OCT of the macula, the innermost hyperreflective band corresponds to which structure?
- A Inner segment–outer segment (IS/OS) junction (ellipsoid zone)
- B Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)
- C Nerve fiber layer (NFL) ✓
- D External limiting membrane (ELM)
Correct answer: C. Nerve fiber layer (NFL)
Explanation
On SD-OCT, moving inward to outward, the first (innermost) hyperreflective band is the nerve fiber layer. Moving outward one encounters the ganglion cell complex, the inner nuclear layer, and then deeper bands. The RPE forms a prominent outer hyperreflective band, the ellipsoid zone (IS/OS) is located just internal to RPE, and the ELM is a thin hyperreflective line between the outer nuclear layer and the inner segments.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.