Abstract
Purpose: :
To demonstrate the quantification of in vivo human choroidal blood flow with 1-µm spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system.
Methods: :
Full-range, high-speed, high-resolution 1.0-µm SD-OCT imaging was applied for the in vivo human eye. This system operated at an axial resolution of 7.3 µm , depth range of 2.6 mm in tissue, and detection speed of 47,000 axial scans/s. The measurement area was 6.0 mm by 6.0 mm on retina. Three-dimensional choroidal blood vessels imaging was achieved with phase sensitive Doppler analysis. After determination of the orientation and diameter of the choroidal vessels, the choroidal blood flow velocity and volume rate were obtained from the measured Doppler frequency in three normal subjects.
Results: :
From the determined choroidal vessel parameters, the absolute choroidal blood flow speed and the instantaneous choroidal blood flow volume rate were obtained at arbitrary points. Choroidal blood flow properties were measured at five choroidal vessels in each subject. Mean choroidal blood flow velocities (mm/sec) in three normal subjects (age: 26, 27, and 28 y) were 8.8, 7.6 and 6.5, respectively. Mean choroidal volume rates (µl /min) were 3.9, 4.7 and 2.6, respectively.
Conclusions: :
Quantitative choroidal blood information could be obtained by1-µm Doppler SD-OCT. This may assist with the rapid, noninvasive assessment of choroidal vascular disorders.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • choroid • blood supply