Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

07:44
In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Effect of eccentric and inconsistent fixation on retinal optical coherence tomography measures
Robert J Campbell1, Stuart G Coupland, Ralf R Buhrmann
1Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University, Hotel Dieu Hospital, 166 Brock Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. rob.campbell@queensu.ca
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|May 16, 2007
Summary
Retinal volume measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are more stable than central foveal thickness when fixation is inconsistent. This finding is crucial for diagnosing macular diseases accurately.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Vision Science
Background:
- Accurate retinal measurements are vital for diagnosing and monitoring macular diseases.
- Inconsistent or eccentric fixation can affect the reliability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements.
- Central foveal thickness (CFT) is a commonly used OCT metric, but its stability under fixation challenges is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the stability of OCT-derived retinal volume and central foveal thickness measurements.
- To evaluate the impact of simulated eccentric and inconsistent fixation on these OCT metrics.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy eyes underwent macular OCT scans with intentionally decentered scan centers (0.50, 1.00, 1.50 mm).
- Retinal volumes within various radii and central foveal thickness were calculated at each scan location.
- The percentage change from baseline-centered scans was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Central foveal thickness showed significant variability, with changes up to 69.4% under decentered scanning.
- Retinal volumes within radii of 1.11 mm or greater were more stable, with maximum changes of only 15.7%.
- The stability of retinal volume measurements was statistically superior to CFT (P<.001).
Conclusions:
- OCT-based retinal volume quantification is a more robust and stable measurement than foveal thickness.
- Retinal volume measurements are less susceptible to errors caused by eccentric or inconsistent fixation.
- This enhanced stability has implications for the accurate assessment of macular conditions.
