A Raytraced Three Dimensional Display System for Visualizing Subtle Structures of the Vitreo-Retinal Interface Using Data From the Cirrus-HD OCT

Abstract

Purpose: : To create a 3D display system for the Carl Zeiss Meditec Cirrus HD-OCT which can improve the visualization of subtle structures in and around the vitreo-retinal interface.

Methods: : Spectral domain examinations were performed on patients with epiretinal membranes (17 eyes), macular holes (11 eyes), and posterior vitreal detachments (16 eyes) using the Cirrus HD-OCT. Several subroutines were programmed in the raytracing and rendering program Cinema 4D XL Studio Bundle R10.5 (Maxon Computer Inc.) which visualize the previously acquired data using raytracing algorithms. These raytracing algorithms allow the subroutines to calculate and visualize shadows being cast and or received by every structure in the specimen. It was hoped that these shadows would increase the clarity and sharpness of very subtle structures of the vitreo-retinal interface, such as epiretinal traction lines and traction lines in and around the posterior hyaloid. The data was reviewed using the Carl Zeiss Meditec Cirrus HD OCT 2.0 advanced visualization system (the area around the vitreoretinal interface was studied using a 100 micron thick ILM fitted slab). Afterwards, the same specimen was visualized with the 3D visualisation system created for this project.

Results: : Because of the use of raytraced shading, epiretinal traction as well as traction within the vitreous itself could be visualized more distinctly using the 3D rendering software than with the ILM fitted slab, allowing a better understanding of 3D configuration of forces affecting the retina.

Clinical Trial: : www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00437593

Keywords: vitreous • retina • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound)