Benefit of high axial resolution optical coherence tomography in AMD

Author: Rosa Dolz-Marco (Spain)

Co-authors: Rafael Pastor Pascual, Patricia Gálvez, Roberto Gallego-Pinazo

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical benefit of high axial resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging in age-related macular degeneration using an OCT prototype (High-Res OCT) with 3 µm optical resolution.

Setting/Venue

Unit of Macula, Oftalvist Clinic, Valencia, Spain

Methods

Patients diagnosed with AMD undergoing comprehensive evaluation were scheduled for High-Res OCT imaging. The examination included regular optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography, fundus autofluorescence, multispectral imaged and High-Res OCT images that were acquired using a prototype. Findings observed on the High-Res OCT images were compared and correlated with the conventional OCT and multimodal approach.

Results

A better delineation of every retina layer was achieved with the increase of axial resolution. A significant split between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer and Bruch’s membrane was observed in the majority of cases in the foveal area and also extending throughout the macula. The content of the RPE detachment both in neovascular and non-neovascular cases was better assessed as well as the status of the outer retinal bands was observed with an improved visualization of the external limiting membrane in cases of complete and incomplete RPE and outer retinal atrophy.

Conlusions

High-Res OCT images provided a detailed representation of structures in the retina not seen with conventional OCT axial resolution (about 7 µm). A better delimitation between layers was observed, and might be beneficial in the improvement of segmentation algorithms. The increase in axial resolution may offer additional confidence in the clinical evaluation of AMD cases. Furthermore, artificial intelligence analysis of fluid and other important biomarkers could benefit of these high-res images.

Financial Disclosure

The prototype OCT device was provided by Heidelberg Engineering.

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