Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography with angiography in the diagnosis of eye diseases

Abstract

Literature review is devoted to the study of imaging diagnostic methods such as optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography in angio mode. In the last decade OCT technique has been widely used among ophthalmologists. There are several modes of registration: spatial-temporal, spectral and selective. The advent of optical coherence tomography has greatly facilitated and improved visualization of the visual analyzer in its various segments. The technology made it possible to evaluate the retinal ganglion cell complex, as well as qualitative and quantitative composition of the prepapillary layer of nerve fibers quickly, without interventions. Degenerative changes in patients with open-angle glaucoma with optical neuropathy at OCT are traced on the whole length of the visual analyzer. Expansion of optical coherence tomography application area gave rise to a new diagnostic method - optical coherence tomography with angiography. The developed technique was a breakthrough of its time, as the gold standard was fluorescence angiography. OCTA is an advanced non-invasive method that allows visualization of retinal vessels. Performing the procedure without dye injection and obtaining high-resolution images of the microvascular network of the retina and chorioidea attracts ophthalmologists. Reduced procedure time, lack of infasive intervention and hence no side effects have increased patient interest. Optical coherence tomography in angiography mode is an important diagnostic method for such diseases as age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma optic neuropathy. With the help of mathematical data algorithms an ophthalmologist can give a conclusion about layer-by-layer structure of the whole retinal vascular network, study quantitative indices of microcapillary blood flow, evaluate zones of limited retinal perfusion. The possibility to recognize the pathological process at the initial stages of its formation allows to suspect changes in the visual analyzer in time. But we should not forget that failures in the work of algorithms of the device, finding artifacts and incorrect interpretation of the results can give a wrong idea about the studied structure.