On OCT, an RPE tear is visualized as what type of disruption?

An RPE tear on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is characterized by a focal and sharp disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This occurs because an RPE tear typically presents as a localized area where the normally smooth and continuous layer of the RPE is disrupted, leading to a clear and well-defined break. This sharp, focal disruption can be associated with significant retinal conditions, such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and other retinal pathologies.

The distinct nature of this disruption is crucial for diagnosis, as it helps differentiate between various retinal conditions that may present with RPE pathology. The other types of disruptions mentioned, such as diffuse irregular or gradual disruptions, do not accurately capture the precise nature of an RPE tear, which is essential for understanding the underlying etiology and potential therapeutic options for management.