Optical Coherance Tomography (OCT)

Inleiding

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) is a relatively new technique for two and three-dimensional imaging of tissues at the histological level.

The technique is based on optical technology and commercially available fiber-optic components adapted for ophthalmic use.

OCT is a non-invasive technique that does not utilize ionizing radiation to provide in vivo images. OCT has numerous potential clinical applications and, in effect, creates "optical biopsies" of tissues.

It has also been used in the detection, characterization and management of skin tumors and other dermatological diseases, cardiology and intravascular disease. OCT may be able to contribute to early diagnosis of vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions.

Stratus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, Calif.) completes a transverse scanning of tissue to 2mm in depth using infrared light over a one to two second period without requiring pupil dilation. The propagation of light through the tissue in combination with the time-of-flight delay of the reflected light received from the biological tissues produces falsecolor images of the microstructure.

Oogheelkundig Medisch Centrum Amsterdam