AIM: To discuss the application value of retro-mode imaging by F-10 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope(cSLO)for detecting drusen in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD).

METHODS: This was a retrospective case study. During the period of October 2015 to December 2016, 67 patients with unilateral AMD(67 affected eyes and 67 fellow eyes)were included in this study. All patients underwent color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography(OCT)and retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO. The features of drusen by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were comparatively observed in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD. Positive numbers of drusen in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD detected by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were calculated and compared.

RESULTS: Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO gave easier to identify images of drusen than color fundus photography and OCT in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD. In the fellow eyes of 67 patients with unilateral AMD, retro-mode imaging showed drusen in 56 cases(84%), color funds photography showed drusen in 36 cases(54%), OCT showed drusen in 48 cases(72%), the difference was statistically significant(χ²=14.31, P<0.05).The positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging were significantly higher than color fundus photography, the difference was statistically significant(χ²=13.87, P'<0.0125). There was no statistically significant difference in the positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging and OCT(χ²=2.75, P'>0.0125).

CONCLUSION: Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO provides a non-invasive technique and should be useful for detecting and monitoring drusen in AMD.