What is the appearance of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone on an OCT scan?

What is the appearance of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone on an OCT scan?

• A. Light medium gray
• B. Dark medium gray
• C. Bright white band
• D. Black

Answer: (C)

The photoreceptor ellipsoid zone is a highly reflective band in the outer retina on OCT, caused by the mitochondria-rich inner segments of the photoreceptors. Because it reflects light very strongly, it appears as a bright white band on the scan, typically located just above the external limiting membrane and below the interdigitation zone. In healthy eyes this band is clear and continuous; when photoreceptors are damaged, the band can become attenuated or disrupted. So the appearance described as a bright white band best matches how the ellipsoid zone shows up on OCT.

The photoreceptor ellipsoid zone is a highly reflective band in the outer retina on OCT, caused by the mitochondria-rich inner segments of the photoreceptors. Because it reflects light very strongly, it appears as a bright white band on the scan, typically located just above the external limiting membrane and below the interdigitation zone. In healthy eyes this band is clear and continuous; when photoreceptors are damaged, the band can become attenuated or disrupted. So the appearance described as a bright white band best matches how the ellipsoid zone shows up on OCT.