Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the clinical utility of a spectral domain ultra-high resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT) in examination, diagnosis and management of various anterior corneal dystrophies and degenerations.
Design: :
Non comparative case series
Participants: :
44 eyes of 29 patients were enrolled in the study and included 22 eyes of 11 patients with anterior corneal dystrophies, 14 eyes of 14 patients with anterior corneal degenerations and 8 eyes of 4 patients with normal corneas.
Methods: :
Subjects were imaged using a novel custom-built UHR-OCT. Images were used to evaluate and describe the characteristics of anterior corneal dystrophies and degenerations. Some patients underwent surgical management and representative histopathologic specimens were analyzed.
Results: :
The UHR-OCT provided clear delineation of corneal anatomy and pathologic corneal deposits. The characteristics and depth of these deposits are illustrated and can be localized to specific layers. There is significant correlation between UHR-OCT images and histopathology providing a non-invasive confirmation of the clinical diagnosis.
Conclusions: :
UHR-OCT is an innovative technique to perform in vivo optical biopsies and a promising research and clinical tool in evaluation of corneal pathologies in a non-invasive manner. The future use of this novel technology will evolve and is increasingly becoming a vital tool in the clinical and surgical management of corneal diseases.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • imaging/image analysis: clinical