OCT angiography as a noinvasive tool for volumetric imaging of retinal microangiopathy

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

To demonstrate applicability of intensity-based optical coherence tomography technique for noninvasive visualization of 3D retinal microcapillary network and to compare OCT with fluorescein angiography for vascular network visualization in retinal diseases.

 

Methods

 

The study was performed with ultra high resolution and high speed (180,000 Ascans/sec) spectral OCT. New scanning protocols and data processing algorithms have been introduced to visualize microcapillary network. .

 

Results

 

We will show 3D retinal microcapillary network visualization obtained in the eyes of healthy volunteers and 15 patients with diabetic retinopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion. New optimized way of data visualization including depth color-coded projection will be presented. Moreover, we will show that OCT can independently visualize superficial and deep capillary plexus and can easily identify nonperfusion areas. Additionally, comparison with fluorescein angiography will be demonstrated to show that both technique are complementary, with OCT showing more capillaries in the pericentral macula.

 

Conclusions

 

Recent report on intensity-based optical coherence tomography shows that this noninvasive technique is well suited for visualization of 3D retinal capillary network in the healthy and pathologic eyes. Obtained results present high correspondence with fluorescein angiography, without using any contrast agents. Our data suggest that intensity-based OCT has potential in the early diagnosis of retinal vascular diseases.

 

 

OCT angiography image of healthy volunteer. 1.5x1.5 area around avasculature zone in macula

 

Keywords: 549 image processing • 688 retina • 552 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound)