MACULAR IMAGING IN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a novel noninvasive and noncontact imaging technique providing cross-sectional representations of the eye structures. OCT is analogous to Ultrasound B-scan, except that it analyzes the reflection of a 850 nm light wave. The aim of thi s study was to assess the potential of ocular coherence tomography for diagnosing and monitoring macular diseases. Methods Cross-sectional i mages were performed with the Zeiss-Humphrey OCT. Over one year period we examined approximately 300 patients with idiopathic full thickness macular hole, lamellar hole, cystoid macular edema choroidal new vess els, epiretinal membrane, diabetic maculopathy, and central serous cho rioretinopathy.Results OCT can provide new information concerning the posterior pole diseases mentioned above. OCT can also be useful in thi ckness measurements. Conclusion OCT allows tomographic analysis of mac ular diseases. The information obtained is different from that obtaine d by histologic study which is sometimes hard to interpret. OCT is mos tly useful in studying internal layers of the retina. Further applicat ions may be developed.