Characteristics and variations of in vivo Schlemm's canal and collector channel microstructures in enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography.
To characterise in vivo Schlemm's canal (SC) and collector channels (CC) microstructures using enhanced-depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT).



Serial horizontal EDI OCT B-scans (81 scans, 15×5° rectangle) were prospectively obtained in the nasal and temporal limbus. SC cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured by delineating its lumen in each B-scan. CCs connected to SC were counted. SC CSA and the number of CCs were compared between the nasal and temporal areas.



Eleven eyes (11 normal subjects) were included (mean age, 28±5 years). SC and CCs were clearly demarcated in EDI OCT B-scans with excellent repeatability and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.830-0.886 and 0.793, respectively; all p<0.001). SC CSA varied considerably among subjects, ranging from 1664 to 6007 µm2(average, 3514±1235 µm2), and among different regions of the same eye with coefficient of variation in each eye ranging from 23% to 46% (average, 32±7%). The number of CCs in the analysed area also varied considerably among subjects, ranging from 5 to 11 (average, 8.73±1.85). The mean SC CSA (3839±1402 µm2vs 3189±1209 µm2; p=0.033) and number of CCs (5.5±1.4 vs 3.3±1.1; p=0.001) were significantly greater nasally than temporally. The mean SC CSA was significantly correlated with the number of CCs (r=0.635, p=0.036).



High-quality images of the aqueous outflow pathway can be obtained with a clinical device, avoiding postacquisition processing. In vivo SC and CC microstructures vary considerably among individuals and regions. SC tends to be larger in regions with more CCs.
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.|Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Pengcheng
P
Li
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Anum
A
Butt
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Jason L
JL
Chien
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Mark P
MP
Ghassibi
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Rafael L
RL
Furlanetto
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Camila F
CF
Netto
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Yiyi
Y
Liu
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Wendy
W
Kirkland
Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Research Laboratory, Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Jeffrey M
JM
Liebmann
Moise and Chella Safra Advanced Ocular Imaging Laboratory, Einhorn Clinical Research Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
Robert
R
Ritch
Department of Ophthalmology, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York, New York, USA.|Department of Ophthalmology, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York, USA.
Sung Chul
SC
Park
D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
Anatomy; Aqueous humour; Glaucoma; Imaging