Abstract
Purpose::
To emphasize the potential value of corneal lubrication in improving the quality of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the macula and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).
Methods::
This study is a consecutive series of 8 eyes of 6 patients in whom repeated attempts at OCT imaging failed to yield a good quality study despite the absence of significant media opacity or inadequate pupil dilation. Immediately following several poor quality scans, each eye received lubricating eye drops just before reattempting image acquisition. The quality of images before and after the administration of eye drops was assessed.
Results::
A statistically significant improvement in OCT image quality was observed following the administration of eye drops in each case. In all but one eye, this was possible on the first scan attempt after application of the drops. The proportion of scans with significant erroneous edge detection kernel placement decreased from 53% to 22%. The change in mean signal strength (SS) was from 4.06 to 6.37 (p= 0.0003). The proportion of studies with an average SS greater than 6 increased from 5.9% before to 70% after drops. Statistical significance was maintained even when the scan with the best SS prior to eye drops was chosen for comparison. No significant difference was found in retinal thickness measurements (p= 0.43).
Conclusions::
Lubricating drops appear to improve the quality and feasibility of OCT imaging in selected cases. Eyes with poor quality OCT imaging of the fundus with no apparent cause may benefit from the administration of lubricating drops just before image acquisition.
Keywords: imaging/image analysis: clinical • retina • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye