Introduction to Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

(1) Basics and principles of optical coherence tomography (OCT), which briefly discuss the mechanisms and operation of OCT systems and a comparison of old and new systems (time domain vs. spectral domain) and their reproducibility. It concisely explains the swept-source OCT mechanism and OCT angiography as well. (2) Normal OCT, which describes normal findings and variations that are expected on normal OCT images, and the layers of the normal retina and in different parts of the posterior segment. (3) Enhanced-depth imaging (EDI)-OCT and its applications and indications in various diseases such as choroidal tumors, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, glaucoma, intraocular inflammation, and myopia. Moreover, choroidal measurement and its variations under different conditions are discussed. (4) Limitations and indications of OCT, which evaluate and explain the drawbacks and advantages of this diagnostic method for the exploration of ocular pathologies. (5) Pitfalls and artifacts, which covers and illustrates diagnostic pitfalls and artifacts in OCT image interpretation in circumstances such as the presence of an epiretinal membrane and myopia.