Ultrahigh-resolution Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of the Anterior Eye Segment Structures

Ultrahigh-resolution Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of the Anterior Eye Segment Structures - a Pilot Study

The development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its application for in vivo imaging has opened entirely new opportunities in ophthalmology. The technology allows for both noninvasive visualization of the morphology and measurement of functional parameters within ocular tissues to a depth of a few millimetres even in nontransparent media. Until now the resolution of commercially available OCT systems is, however, much lower than that provided by light microscopy.

Recently, an ultrahigh-resolution OCT system was developed by our group providing resolutions of 1.7 and 17 µm in axial and lateral direction, respectively. This axial resolution is about four times better than that provided by standard OCT systems. It allows to perform in vivo imaging with a resolution close to biopsy of tissue and to visualize structures of the anterior eye segment with a remarkable richness of detail. The prototype was applied for in vivo imaging of the cornea including the precorneal tear film.

The goal of the planned pilot study is to apply this innovative imaging modality for visualization of the ultrastructure of the different parts of the anterior eye segment structures in diseased subjects, as well as in patients who underwent minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). The obtained in vivo cross sectional images and three-dimensional data sets are hoped for contributing to the knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the corresponding tissues. This could allow for a better interpretation of clinical features and findings obtained in slit lamp examination.

Inclusion Criteria:

• For patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD):

MGD as evidenced by clinical features and gland expression (MGD Grading Scheme, Appendix I (Opitz, Harthan et al. 2015))

• For cataract patients:

Cataract as evidenced from slit lamp examination, stage range between NII-NIII, CII-CIV, PII-PIII according to The Lens Opacity Classification System II (LOCS II) (Chylack, Leske et al. 1989) (Appendix II)

• For patients after minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS):

Patients with history of MIGS secondary to glaucoma

• For patients with demodicosis:

Demodicosis as evidenced from slit lamp examination and presence of Demodex confirmed by microscopic examination of the eye lashes (Liu, Sheha et al. 2010)

• For patients with conjunctival pathologies (cyst, naevus, pterygium):

Conjunctival pathologies with a clinical diagnosis of the respective

• For patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis:

Acanthamoeba keratitis as evidenced from slit lamp examination and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of corneal epithelial and tear samples and culture isolation (Lehmann, Green et al. 1998)

• For aniridia patients:

Anirida as evidenced from slit lamp examination

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of any abnormalities preventing reliable measurements as judged by the investigator
• Pregnancy, planned pregnancy or lactating