Transscleral optical coherence tomography--an experimental study in ex-vivo human eyes.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potentials of a 1310-nm optical coherence tomography (OCT) system to penetrate the highly backscattering sclera in enucleated human eyes and provide visualization of intraocular structures by transscleral imaging.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND

METHODS

OCT-images were generated by an experimental prototype (Medical Laser Center, Lübeck, Germany) using a superluminescence diode with a wavelength of 1310 nm. OCT-images were taken from two enucleated human eyes using 100-200 axial scans with 60 Hz line scan frequency and compared to subsequent histologic sections.

RESULTS

Transscleral OCT allowed penetration of the sclera and the anterior chamber angle could be completely identified. Some change within the anterior eye segment could be demonstrated with high accuracy. Additionally, limited demonstration of the ciliary body region was achieved. Due to limited signal intensity no detailed imaging of the pars plana and pars plicata region was possible. However, more posterior measurements allowed transscleral visualization of a retinal detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

OCT using lightsources with a wavelength longer than that used in conventional OCT provides a promising imaging technique at high resolution allowing transscleral imaging of the anterior eye segment.