SUMMARY
Purpose:
To evaluate the importance of Watzke-Allen Test and Laser Aiming Beam Test in diferential diagnosis of macular holes.
Methods:
The authors studied prospectively 34 patients (47 eyes) divided in two groups: Group 1, 24 patients (31 eyes) with full thickness macular holes and, Group 2, 16 patients (16 eyes) with pseudomacular holes. Watzke-Allen Test and Laser Aiming Beam Test with 50μ, 100μ e 200μ were performed on all patients. The results of both groups were compared. Bilaterality was present in 6 cases.
Results:
The sensitivity and specificity of Watzke-Allen Test were 71,0% and 68,7% respectively since 22 patients in Group 1 and five patients in Group 2 informed an interruption of the slit beam. In the Laser Aiming Beam Test, 28 cases in Group 1 and four cases in Group 2 could not see the 50μ spot, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 90.3% and 75.0% respectively.
Conclusion:
Both Watzke-Allen Test and Laser Aiming Beam Test performed with a 50μ, have a good sensitivity and specificity in the diferential diagnosis of macular holes. These tests are noninvasive, easy to perform and have a low cost. Therefore, they could be incorporated in ophthalmology routine.
Key Words:
Macular Hole; Watzke-Allen Test; Laser Aiming Beam Test