A 55-year-old diabetic patient undergoes optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macula. The report describes a hyporeflective space between the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with an intact ellipsoid zone. Which of the following best characterizes this finding?
- A Schisis cavity (retinoschisis)
- B Subretinal fluid — serous neurosensory detachment ✓
- C Intraretinal cystoid macular edema
- D Full-thickness macular hole
Correct answer: B. Subretinal fluid — serous neurosensory detachment
Explanation
A hyporeflective space between the neurosensory retina and RPE on OCT represents subretinal fluid (serous neurosensory detachment). The intact ellipsoid zone indicates photoreceptors are not yet severely compromised, which is a good prognostic sign. Intraretinal cystoid edema would appear within retinal layers, schisis cavities show splitting within the retina itself, and a macular hole would show a full-thickness defect.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.