Abstract
Purpose::
To determine whether the OCT/SLO (OTI Combination Optical Coherence Tomography and Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope) can be used to evaluate idiopathic macular holes, and to compare the images obtained using OCT/SLO to the OCT3 (Zeiss) images.
Methods::
20 eyes of fifteen patients clinically diagnosed or suspected to have idiopathic macular holes were evaluated with both OCT/SLO and OCT3. The OCT technology uses low coherent light to generate near histological cross sections of retinal tissue. The OCT/SLO uses a single light source to simultaneously produce an OCT image of the retinal layers as well as a confocal image of the retinal surface. Although the OCT/SLO is able to capture OCT images in both longitudinal and coronal orientations, only the longitudinal scans were evaluated for this paper. Both machines claim to have a resolution of 10 micron. Dilatation is not necessary for acquiring images from both machines. It was done as many scans were necessary to obtain a good image of the exactly same point in the retina in both machines.
Results::
Both OCT3 and OCT/SLO provided good images of macular holes. The OCT/SLO exhibited better imaging of the vitreo-retinal interface, and revealed additional information about the posterior hyaloid status in 4/20 eyes (15%). The OCT3 yielded better images in 4/20 eyes (15%) with significant lens opacities.
Conclusions::
Pathogenesis of idiophatic macular holes is often the subject of discussion. Macular changes are believed to be preceded by vitreo-retinal interface changes in the foveal region. The OCT/SLO appears to be most useful in the early stage macular holes as it is better at vizualizing the vitreo-retinal interface. The OCT3 was better at imaging macular holes in patients with dense cataracts.OCT imaging leads to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of holes, the causes of visual loss secondary to macular hole formation. OCT imaging may help set better indications regarding the timing for surgical repair, and the evaluation of post surgical outcome.
Keywords: macular holes • imaging/image analysis: clinical • optical properties