Abstract
Purpose :
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a imaging technique to diagnose and manage retinal diseases, like AMD, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, in a non-invasive way. Also, in animal research this tool moved more and more into the focus, since it allows to investigate morphological changes over a period of time in the same animal. Here, we compared the Heidelberg Spectralis SD-OCT, which was originally developed for humans, with the new iVivo LAB OCT from OcuScience®, which is specially designed for rodents.
Methods :
5 weeks old βB1-CTGF mice, which develop a high intraocular pressure and glaucomatous damage at later ages (around 15 weeks), and corresponding wildtype (WT) mice were used. The retinal morphology was investigated either with the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) or the iVivo LAB OCT (OcuScience®, Henderson, NV, USA, n=5-7/group). To use the Spectralis OCT, an animal holder and a +25 dpt lens were required. Two cross-sectioned B scans on the periphery of the retina and one peripapillary were performed. Three horizontal pictures were obtained with the iVivo device. Retinal layers (from ganglion cell layer to outer nuclear layer) were measured using ImageJ software. The calculation of retinal thickness measurement in each system was verified per manufacturer procedures.
Results :
The retinal thickness was comparable in βB1-CTGF (397.10±79.90 µm) and WT (406.34±21.74; p=0.8) mice using the Heidelberg OCT. Also, similar values in both groups were recorded using the iVivo system (βB1-CTGF: 352.88±21.35 µm; WT: 360.08±5.07 µm; p=0.5). Additionally, when comparing both techniques, no difference was observed within all groups (p>0.05). At 15 weeks, βB1-CTGF had thinner retinae (p=0.004). However, the standard deviation was much lower in the iVivo LAB OCT, especially in the transgenic mice, which later develop glaucoma. The retinal resolution using the iVivo device was high, therefore, the measuring of the retina could be performed easier and faster. While with the Spectralis OCT, the retinal layers appear more diffuse, leading to a longer measurement time.
Conclusions :
Both devices led to similar results. For the Spectralis OCT, special adjustments are necessary to perform measurements. In contrast, the handling of the animal specific iVivo LAB OCT was more convenient and faster. To sum up, the new iVivo LAB OCT is a new, versatile, and reliable tool for OCT research in animals.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.