1. Optical Coherence Tomography
- Author
-
Guido Ripandelli, Antonella Capaldo, Mario Stirpe, and Andrea M Coppe
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,genetic structures ,0206 medical engineering ,02 engineering and technology ,Retina ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Atrophy ,Optics ,Retinal Diseases ,Optical coherence tomography ,Fibrosis ,Ophthalmology ,Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ,medicine ,Humans ,Tomography ,Macular edema ,Retinal pigment epithelium ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Retinal ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Superluminescent diode ,020601 biomedical engineering ,Reflectivity ,eye diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,030221 ophthalmology & optometry ,sense organs ,business - Abstract
The optical coherence tomograph is a new, noninvasive technical device that can obtain cross-sectional, high-resolution images-optical coherence tomographs (OCT)-of the retina. This instrument permits an accurate evaluation of various macular and chorioretinal pathologies and the early detection of glaucomatous damage. Images of the retina are obtained similar to ultrasound B-scan, with 10-microm longitudinal resolution. Because the OCT operates with a near-infrared wavelength (about 840 nm), the examination is of minimal discomfort for the patient. OCT examination is indicated in cases of macular pathologies such as vitreoretinal interface syndrome, in the early detection and quantitative assessment of macular edema, and in the evaluation of a glaucomatous damage by measuring the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. The future role of this instrument and its applications for clinical diagnosis depend on the future improvement and updating of the software.
- Published
- 1998