Three-dimensional ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography of macular diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate a new generation of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR OCT) technology for visualization of macular diseases.


METHODS
One hundred forty eyes with a distinct disease in each of the posterior pole compartments were examined with 3-D UHR OCT. 3-D imaging was performed with a high axial resolution of 3 mum with a compact, commercially available, ultra-broad-bandwidth (160 nm) titanium:sapphire laser at a video rate of up to 25 B-scans/s. Each tomogram consisted of 1024 x 1024 pixels, resulting in 25 megavoxels/s.


RESULTS
3-D UHR OCT offers high-precision 3-D visualization of macular diseases at all structural levels. The UHR modality allows identification of the contour of the hyaloid membrane, tractive forces of epiretinal membranes, and changes within the inner limiting membrane. The system provides quality 3-D images of the topographic dynamics of traction lines from the retinal surface down to the level of the photoreceptor segments. Intraretinal diseases are identified by their specific location in different layers of the neurosensory ultrastructure. Photoreceptor inner and outer segments are clearly delineated in configuration and size, with a characteristic peak in the subfoveal area. The microarchitecture of choroidal neovascularization is distinctly imaged, related leakage can be identified, and the volume can be quantified.


CONCLUSIONS
High-speed UHR OCT offers unprecedented, realistic, 3-D imaging of ocular diseases at all epi-, intra- and subretinal levels. A complete 3-D data set of the macular layers allows a comprehensive analysis of focal and diffuse diseases, as well as identification of dynamic pathomechanisms.
Schmidt-Erfurth
Ursula
U
Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Leitgeb
Rainer A
RA
Michels
Stephan
S
Povazay
Boris
B
Sacu
Stefan
S
Hermann
Boris
B
Ahlers
Christian
C
Sattmann
Harald
H
Scholda
Christoph
C
Fercher
Adolf F
AF
Drexler
Wolfgang
W
D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*