Analysis of the outer retina reconstructed by high-resolution, three-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to demonstrate an analysis of an outer retinal layer reconstructed by the three-dimensional and high-speed spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) instrument. PATIENTS AND METHODS: New measurement protocols for SD-OCT and methods of analysis and visualization of the individual segmented retinal layer reconstructed by SD-OCT were proposed. Three contour maps representing mutual distances between the basal part of the retinal pigment epithelium, the junction between the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors, and a reference contour representing the shape of a healthy retina were introduced. RESULTS: The analysis of the outer retina was performed on pathological eyes. Three cases of central serous chorioretinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and acute zonal occult outer retinopathy are demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Three contour maps reconstructed for clinical cases demonstrate high variability of observed patterns depending on analyzed pathology. The authors believe this can help to present OCT data simultaneously in a more comprehensive and convenient way to assist in everyday clinical diagnosis.

Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy in 830-nm spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

This article presents for the first time the potential of 830-nm spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the evaluation of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. SD-OCT is an imaging technique that can be used for in vivo cross-sectional corneal visualization. The important features of SD-OCT instruments include improved sensitivity and short acquisition time, which improves the quality of the tomograms compared with conventional time domain OCT. Tomograms of the corneas of three patients in different stages of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy are presented. The authors conclude that 830-nm SD-OCT provides clinically valuable cross-sectional assessment of pathomorphological changes in Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy in vivo.

Granular corneal dystrophy in 830-nm spectral optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: Spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) is a new imaging technique that can provide high-resolution tomograms much faster and with higher sensitivity than conventional Time domain (TdOCT) systems. Its usefulness in producing cross-sectional imaging of different corneal pathologies in vivo has already been presented. The aim of this case report is to show 830-nm SOCT findings in granular corneal dystrophy. METHODS: A 48-year-old woman with granular corneal dystrophy was examined with a slit-lamp, confocal microscope (Confoscan 4) and a prototype SOCT instrument constructed at the Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland. A genetic examination showed a mutation of arginine 555-to-tryptophan (Arg555Trp) in the TGFBI gene that confirmed the clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: SOCT tomograms showed multiple hyperreflective changes throughout the corneal stroma that corresponded to hyaline deposits. Precise and objective assessment of the localization, size, shape, and light scattering properties of the pathologic changes was possible. Three-dimensional rendering of the acquired data allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the deposits in the central cornea. CONCLUSIONS: SOCT (830 nm) provides clinically valuable 2- and 3-dimensional assessments of pathomorphologic changes in granular corneal dystrophy in vivo.

Flow velocity estimation using joint Spectral and Time domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

We propose a modified method of acquisition and analysis of Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography (SOCT) data to provide information about flow velocities. The idea behind this method is to acquire a set of SOCT spectral fringes dependent on time followed by a numerical analysis using two independent Fourier transformations performed in time and optical frequency domains. Therefore, we propose calling this method as joint Spectral and Time domain Optical Coherence Tomography (joint STdOCT). The flow velocities obtained by joint STdOCT are compared with the ones obtained by known, phase-resolved SOCT. We observe that STdOCT estimation is more robust for measurements with low signal to noise ratio (SNR) as well as in conditions of close-to-limit velocity measurements. We also demonstrate that velocity measurement performed with STdOCT method is more sensitive than the one obtained by the phase-resolved SOCT. The method is applied to biomedical imaging, in particular to in vivo measurements of retinal blood circulation. The applicability of STdOCT different measurement modes for in vivo examinations, including 1, 5 and 40 mus of CCD exposure time, is discussed.

Improved spectral optical coherence tomography using optical frequency comb.

We identify and analyze factors influencing sensitivity drop-off in Spectral OCT and propose a system employing an Optical Frequency Comb (OFC) to verify this analysis. Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography using a method based on an optical frequency comb is demonstrated. Since the spectrum sampling function is determined by the comb rather than detector pixel distribution, this method allows to overcome limitations of high resolution Fourier-domain OCT techniques. Additionally, the presented technique also enables increased imaging range while preserving high axial resolution. High resolution cross-sectional images of biological samples obtained with the proposed technique are presented.

Spectral optical coherence tomography in video-rate and 3D imaging of contact lens wear.

PURPOSE: To present the applicability of spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) for video-rate and three-dimensional imaging of a contact lens on the eye surface. METHODS: The SOCT prototype instrument constructed at Nicolaus Copernicus University (Torun, Poland) is based on Fourier domain detection, which enables high sensitivity (96 dB) and increases the speed of imaging 60 times compared with conventional optical coherence tomography techniques. Consequently, video-rate imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions can be achieved, preserving the high quality of the image. The instrument operates under clinical conditions in the Ophthalmology Department (Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland). A total of three eyes fitted with different contact lenses were examined with the aid of the instrument. Before SOCT measurements, slit lamp examinations were performed. RESULTS: Data, which are representative for each imaging mode, are presented. The instrument provided high-resolution (4 microm axial x 10 microm transverse) tomograms with an acquisition time of 40 micros per A-scan. Video-rate imaging allowed the simultaneous quantitative evaluation of the movement of the contact lens and assessment of the fitting relationship between the lens and the ocular surface. Three-dimensional scanning protocols further improved lens visualization and fit evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: SOCT allows video-rate and three-dimensional cross-sectional imaging of the eye fitted with a contact lens. The analysis of both imaging modes suggests the future applicability of this technology to the contact lens field.

Analysis of posterior retinal layers in spectral optical coherence tomography images of the normal retina and retinal pathologies.

We present a computationally efficient, semiautomated method for analysis of posterior retinal layers in three-dimensional (3-D) images obtained by spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT). The method consists of two steps: segmentation of posterior retinal layers and analysis of their thickness and distance from an outer retinal contour (ORC), which is introduced to approximate the normal position of external interface of the healthy retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The algorithm is shown to effectively segment posterior retina by classifying every pixel in the SOCT tomogram using the similarity of its surroundings to a reference set of model pixels from user-selected area(s). Operator intervention is required to assess the quality of segmentation. Thickness and distance maps from the segmented layers and their analysis are presented for healthy and pathological retinas.

In vivo imaging of posterior capsule opacification using Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography.

Three years after uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) (MZ60BD, Alcon) in a 74-year-old man, the anterior segment of the right eye was photographed with a Canon EOS 300D digital camera and examined with a slitlamp and a prototype spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) instrument. Subsequently, a neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed, followed by another examination. The quality of the SOCT images was adequate for detailed cross-sectional evaluation of the IOL, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and morphological changes after laser capsulotomy. En face contour maps of PCO distribution were created from 3-dimensional SOCT data. The results presented indicate future applicability of SOCT technology in evaluating modern IOL designs and investigating the process of PCO formation.

Spectral optical coherence tomography: a novel technique for cornea imaging.

PURPOSE: Spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) is a new, noninvasive, noncontact, high-resolution technique that provides cross-sectional images of the objects that weakly absorb and scatter light. SOCT, because of very short acquisition time and high sensitivity, is capable of providing tomograms of substantially better quality than the conventional OCT. The aim of this paper is to show the application of the SOCT to cross-sectional imaging of the cornea and its pathologies. METHODS: Eleven eyes with different corneal pathologies were examined with a slit lamp and the use of a prototype SOCT instrument constructed in the Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland. RESULTS: Our SOCT system provides high-resolution (4 microm axial, 10 microm transversal) tomograms composed of 3000-5000 A-scans with an acquisition time of 120-200 ms. The quality of the images is adequate for detailed cross-sectional evaluation of various corneal pathologies. Objective assessment of the localization, size, shape, and light-scattering properties of the changed tissue is possible. Corneal and epithelial thickness and the depth and width of lesions can be estimated. CONCLUSION: SOCT technique allows acquiring clinically valuable cross-sectional optical biopsy of the cornea and its pathologies.

Spectral optical coherence tomography: a new imaging technique in contact lens practice.

PURPOSE: Spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) is a new non-invasive, non-contact, high-resolution technique, which provides cross-sectional images of objects that weakly absorb and scatter light. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the application of SOCT to imaging of eyes fitted with contact lenses. METHODS: Nine eyes of six different subjects fitted with various contact lenses have been examined with a slit-lamp and a prototype SOCT instrument. RESULTS: Our SOCT system provides high-resolution (4-6 mum longitudinal, 10 mum transversal) tomograms composed of 3000-5000 A-scans with acquisition time of 100-250 ms. The quality of the images is adequate for detailed evaluation of contact lens fit. Design, shape and lens edge position were assessed, and complications of contact lens wear could be visualized. Thickness of the lens, corneal epithelium and stroma as well as the space between the lens and the eye surface have been measured. CONCLUSIONS: SOCT allows high-resolution, cross-sectional visualization of the eye fitted with a contact lens. The ability to carry out a detailed evaluation of the fitting relationship between the lens and the ocular surface might be useful in research and optometric practice. SOCT can also be helpful in diagnosis, evaluation and documentation of contact lens complications.

Ophthalmic imaging by spectral optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate two novel ophthalmic imaging techniques based on fast Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography (SOCT). DESIGN: Prospective observation case report. SETTING: Research laboratory. STUDY POPULATION: A normal human subject. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of an optical coherence retinal tomogram with known retinal anatomy, reduction of eye exposure to the probing light beam during Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) examination. RESULTS: High resolution (3- x 20-microm) cross-sectional 2-dimensional images of the human retina in vivo have been obtained with only 0.1-second total illumination time (for 1024 A-scans), and approximately 200- microW eye exposure. Details of the optic disk in vivo have been visualized at a rate of eight frames per second, which is sufficient to provide real time analysis. The 3-dimensional images of the optic nerve correspond to the images obtained from a fundus camera. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its short acquisition time and high sensitivity, SOCT uses a 100 times lower exposure/A-scan to obtain images of comparable quality to those obtained by the commercial instrument based on traditional time-domain OCT. Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography therefore provides a much wider safety margin than the traditional method and allows relaxation of the current safety precautions forbidding more than 10 minutes/day scanning of the same location of a retina. As a result of the high speed offered by the new technique, the 3-dimensional tomograms, which allow a surgeon access to a comprehensive and detailed view of relevant pathologies, are obtained in a much shorter, clinically more reasonable time.

Real-time measurement of in vitro flow by Fourier-domain color Doppler optical coherence tomography.

The possibility of measuring a full Doppler flow depth profile in parallel by use of frequency-domain optical coherence tomography is demonstrated. The method is based on a local phase analysis of the backscattered signal and allows for imaging of bidirectional Doppler flow. The Doppler frequency limit is 5 kHz for the presented measurements and is set by half of the frame rate of the CCD detector array. We measured the flow of 0.3-microm microspheres suspended in distilled water at controlled flow rates and in vitro human blood flow through a 200-microm capillary with a real-time color-encoded Doppler tomogram rate of 2-3/s.

Phase-shifting algorithm to achieve high-speed long-depth-range probing by frequency-domain optical coherence tomography.

Standard Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) suffers from the presence of autocorrelation terms that obscure the object information and degrade the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. By exploiting the phase information of the recorded interferograms, it is possible to remove those autocorrelation terms and to double the measurement range. However, standard phase-retrieval algorithms need three to five interferograms. We present a novel technique that shows all the features of complex FDOCT with only two recorded interferograms.

Real-time in vivo imaging by high-speed spectral optical coherence tomography.

An improved spectral optical coherence tomography technique is used to obtain cross-sectional ophthalmic images at an exposure time of 64 micros per A-scan. This method allows real-time images as well as static tomograms to be recorded in vivo.

In vivo human retinal imaging by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography.

We present what is to our knowledge the first in vivo tomograms of human retina obtained by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography. We would like to show that this technique might be as powerful as other optical coherence tomography techniques in the ophthalmologic imaging field. The method, experimental setup, data processing, and images are discussed.