Multimodal imaging in macular diagnostics: combined OCT-SLO improves therapeutical monitoring.
BACKGROUND
Digital imaging methods are a centrepiece for diagnosis and management of macular disease. A recently developed imaging device is composed of simultaneous confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). By means of clinical samples the benefit of this technique concerning diagnostic and therapeutic follow-up will be assessed.


METHODS
The combined OCT-SLO-System (Ophthalmic Technologies Inc., Toronto, Canada) allows for confocal en-face fundus imaging and high resolution OCT scanning at the same time. OCT images are obtained from transversal line scans. One light source and the identical scanning rate yield a pixel-to-pixel correspondence of images. Three-dimensional thickness maps are derived from C-scan stacking.


RESULTS
We followed-up patients with cystoid macular edema, pigment epithelium detachment, macular hole, venous branch occlusion, and vitreoretinal tractions during their course of therapy. The new imaging method illustrates the reduction of cystoid volume, e.g. after intravitreal injections of either angiostatic drugs or steroids. C-scans are used for appreciation of lesion diameters, visualisation of pathologies involving the vitreoretinal interface, and quantification of retinal thickness change.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined OCT-SLO system creates both topographic and tomographic images of the retina. New therapeutic options can be followed-up closely by observing changes in lesion thickness and cyst volumes. For clinical use further studies are needed.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Inselspital, Universität Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
Christian Karl
CK
Brinkmann
Sebastian
S
Wolf
Ute Ellen Kathrin
UE
Wolf-Schnurrbusch
D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors