guide to optical coherence tomography interpretation

#Guide to optical coherence tomography interpretation software

#Guide to optical coherence tomography interpretation software

If the software fails to delineate the retinal boundaries correctly (i.e. 3,13 The automated retinal thickness measurement is based on the ability of the software to detect the inner and outer boundaries based on the change in reflectivity at each of these interfaces. Retinal thickness is defined as the distance between the inner retinal boundary (vitreous–retina interface) and the outer retinal boundary (retina–retinal pigment epithelium interface). Knowledge, anticipation and recognition of image artefacts and erroneous thickness measurements by both OCT technicians and physicians are needed to reduce the influence of such errors on OCT interpretation. 10–12 Over the past few years, increasing evidence has accumulated, based on the concern of many ophthalmologists, of the limitations of current OCT devices and software. Several studies have uncovered and analysed multiple sources of errors that decrease the accuracy of retinal thickness measurements. 6–9 However, all imaging techniques have some limitations and are subject to artefacts. Several studies have presented good reproducibility of OCT retinal thickness measurements and have shown that it is currently the most precise and reliable instrument for retinal thickness measurements. As clinicians are becoming increasingly reliant on OCT retinal thickness measurements, it is important to determine their accuracy. OCT is now an integral part of both retinal clinical practice and many clinical trials. Owing to its ability to quantify changes in retinal thickness, OCT has become an indispensable tool for assessing treatment initiation, the response to treatment and the need for retreatment in many retinal diseases. 2–5 OCT is also a powerful method for obtaining retinal thickness measurements. It is a fast, non-invasive, non-contact method that enables in vivo visualisation of the retinal and vitreoretinal microstructure on a high-resolution cross-section (2D) or 3D image. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was introduced by Huang and colleauges in 1991 1 and became commercially available in 1995. Optical coherence tomography, retinal thickness measurements, segmentation break-down Article:

The awareness of the clinician and the particular search for, and recognition of, measurement errors would improve the accuracy of OCT interpretation and should be an integral part of OCT scan analysis. pigment epithelial detachment, subretinal fluid, fibrotic tissue, hard exudates and full-thickness macular holes). ‘out-of-range’, mirror, blink and motion artefacts), a low signal:noise ratio, dense media opacities and specific retinal pathological features (e.g.

The segmentation software might perform less accurately in the presence of scan artefacts (e.g.

In this review, the author describes and discusses the various causes that might compromise automated retinal thickness measurements. However, as with any imaging technology, some limitations exist. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become an indispensable tool in the assessment of macular pathology in clinical settings and an integral part of many clinical trials.