Clinical relevance of the new digital integration method for the precise correlation of fluorescein angiographic and optical coherence tomography findings

Abstract

A fundamental weak point in the previous optical coherence tomography (OCT) pictures of Stratus OCT III is counterbalanced through the correction of eye movement artefacts by the new digital integration method (DIM). For the first time, DIM allows the precise anatomical OCT-scan localization in the fundus or fluorescein angiographic (FLA) image and leads to an objective morphological and topographic correlation. Using a newly developed fundus enhancement system (FES), DIM provides fundus images of OCT of high quality in almost every patient. To control and document any possible eye movement artefacts, a retinal tracking system was developed (RTS). The RTS tapes the fundus image in OCT during the scanning procedure. Using the new morphological information a new knowledge is obtained on uncertain angiographic phenomena by detecting serous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachments and may lead to treatment consequences. In FLA images without leakages DIM reveals in OCT undetected serous RPE detachments. In addition, in 100% classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) with a hypofluorescent halo DIM demonstrates a larger extent of the CNV than expected in FLA. Using DIM the OCT-scan position for the follow-up can be now assessed in a safe and reliable manner, which is mandatory for the evidence of OCT studies.