Chapter 2
Fundamentals of Retinal Optical
Coherence Tomography
Delia Cabrera DeBuc, Gábor Márk Somfai and Bo Wang
Understanding the underlying theory of medical imaging acquisition helps interpretation of the features manifested in the images and also gives guidance in developing
medical image analysis methods. This chapter introduces the development and principles of retinal OCT imaging, and also explains the OCT features of multiple retinal
structures.
2.1 Introduction
During the last few years, the retinal research field has undergone a dramatic change
regarding diagnostic tools and therapies that have resulted in substantial benefits for
patients suffering from retinal disease. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has
revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of macular diseases which was enhanced
by the widespread use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
agents for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, branch
and central vein occlusion and diabetic macular edema (DME). It is supposed that
OCT is one of the most widely used ophthalmic decision-making technologies [1].
The recent introduction of OCT angiography (OCTA) and wide field imaging in
D. Cabrera DeBuc (B)
Department of Ophthalmology, McKnight Vision Research Center, Bascom
Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA
e-mail: DCabrera2@med.miami.edu
G. M. Somfai
Retinology Unit, Pallas Kliniken Augenzentrum, Olten, Switzerland
G. M. Somfai
Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
B. Wang
School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
© Science Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
X. Chen et al. (eds.), Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Image Analysis,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1825-2_2
27
Fundamentals of Retinal Optical
Coherence Tomography
Delia Cabrera DeBuc, Gábor Márk Somfai and Bo Wang
Understanding the underlying theory of medical imaging acquisition helps interpretation of the features manifested in the images and also gives guidance in developing
medical image analysis methods. This chapter introduces the development and principles of retinal OCT imaging, and also explains the OCT features of multiple retinal
structures.
2.1 Introduction
During the last few years, the retinal research field has undergone a dramatic change
regarding diagnostic tools and therapies that have resulted in substantial benefits for
patients suffering from retinal disease. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has
revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of macular diseases which was enhanced
by the widespread use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
agents for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, branch
and central vein occlusion and diabetic macular edema (DME). It is supposed that
OCT is one of the most widely used ophthalmic decision-making technologies [1].
The recent introduction of OCT angiography (OCTA) and wide field imaging in
D. Cabrera DeBuc (B)
Department of Ophthalmology, McKnight Vision Research Center, Bascom
Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA
e-mail: DCabrera2@med.miami.edu
G. M. Somfai
Retinology Unit, Pallas Kliniken Augenzentrum, Olten, Switzerland
G. M. Somfai
Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
B. Wang
School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
© Science Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019
X. Chen et al. (eds.), Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Image Analysis,
Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1825-2_2
27