Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis and follow-up of eye diseases in childhood - a review

Abstract

After its development approximately 20 years ago, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has taken an important part in the scientific and clinical work of the ophthalmologist and continues to develop. Using OCT technology in every day practice helps the eye doctors to make clinical diagnoses and follow-up of socially significant diseases like glaucoma, degenerative retinal diseases, and pathology of the macula and optic nerve head, which could be responsible for irreversible decrease or loss of central and/or peripheral vision. Because of the above-mentioned, we aimed to summarize the diagnostic and follow-up possibilities of OCT as an imaging technique for childhood eye diseases. Since this technology was initially developed to be used in adults, its use in children is limited to some extent. This could be explained basically with the inapplicability of stationary OCT devices in all children and the absence of normative database for those under 18 years of age. During the last decade, specially developed portable devices for children have been developed. By their use investigating and diagnosing of eye pathology is possible in very early age, and this allows subsequent adequate therapy and prevents from a life with disability.