Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A)
What is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)?
OCT is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to create highly magnified and high-resolution cross-sectional images of various parts of the eye. It is performed in the clinic.
What is Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A)?
OCT angiography uses OCT technology to create images of the blood vessels within the retina and optic nerve without the need for dye injection as in fluorescein angiography or indocyanine green (ICG) angiography.
How is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) performed?
OCT is performed in a seated position. After placing the chin on a chinrest the machine takes hundreds of sequential scans in quick succession without touching the eye.
What is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) used for?
OCT is used in the diagnosis and management of almost all medical and surgical retinal disorders, glaucoma, and posterior uveitis. It is helpful to exclude retinal problems prior to cataract surgery. It identifies swelling at the macula due to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion, highlights structural changes to the outer retina in age-related macular degeneration and is able to help distinguish various forms of posterior uveitis.
By measuring the thickness of the superficial layers of the retina it can help in the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma.
The optional anterior segment module creates cross-sectional images of the front of the eye including the cornea, iris, and anterior chamber. It measures the thickness of the cornea which is relevant in glaucoma and in various corneal conditions. It can help identify patients at risk of angle closure glaucoma.
What is OCT Angiography (OCT-A) used for?
OCT-A is useful in the diagnosis and management of retinal vascular conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. It can identify the presence of abnormal networks of blood vessels in age-related macular degeneration. It is also useful in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.
What are some examples of our Optical Coherence Tomographers?
- Zeiss Cirrus
The Zeiss Cirrus is a high-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomographer enabling high-resolution imaging of the retina and optic nerve. It is available with or without Angioplex (OCT Angiography). An optional anterior segment module allows imaging of the cornea and anterior segment.
- Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT
The Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT is a modular imaging system that combines multiple laser fundus imaging modalities including green, blue, infrared and multicolour imaging, autofluorescence imaging, fluorescein and ICG dye-based angiography and high-resolution spectral-domain OCT scanning with OCT angiography.
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