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In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
High-resolution retinal imaging in young children using a handheld scanner and Fourier-domain optical coherence
Christina Gerth1, Robert J Zawadzki, Elise Héon
1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Insights
A handheld Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (Fd-OCT) probe enables feasible retinal imaging in infants and children. This technology provides high-resolution structural documentation for pediatric eye conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pediatric retinal imaging presents unique challenges due to patient age and cooperation.
- Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (Fd-OCT) offers high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of the retina.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and applicability of a handheld probe for Fd-OCT retinal imaging in pediatric patients.
- To assess the quality of retinal images obtained using Fd-OCT in infants and children.
Main Methods:
- Thirty children (7 months to 9.9 years) underwent retinal imaging with a high-resolution handheld Fd-OCT system.
- Imaging was performed under sedation for younger children (7 months to 3.7 years) and in a conscious state for older children.
- The Fd-OCT system featured high axial resolution (4.5 µm) and rapid acquisition speeds (1000 A-scans/frame, 9 frames/second).
Main Results:
- Useful retinal images were successfully obtained from all 30 pediatric participants.
- Image acquisition was possible in conscious children as young as 3 years old.
- Image quality was comparable to that obtained in adult populations, despite challenges with fixation in younger children.
Conclusions:
- A flexible handheld scanner combined with high-resolution, high-speed Fd-OCT is effective for pediatric retinal imaging.
- This technology provides unprecedented high-resolution structural documentation of the retina in infants and children.
- Fd-OCT represents a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring pediatric eye diseases.
Purpose:
To test the feasibility and applicability of a handheld probe for Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (Fd-OCT) retinal imaging in infants and children.
Methods:
Thirty children ages 7 months to 9.9 years, with (10 of 30) or without (20 of 30) retinal pathology, were imaged with Fd-OCT. Imaging was performed under sedation in 10 of 30 children ages 7 months to 3.7 years. A high-resolution Fd-OCT system (axial resolution: 4.5 mum; acquisition speeds: 1000 A-scans/frame, 9 frames/second), constructed at the UC Davis Medical Center, in conjunction with a handheld scanner, was used for retinal imaging.
Results:
Useful images were obtained from all selected patients. Image acquisition was possible in a conscious state in children as young as 3 years of age. All children tolerated the tests well. The most challenging situation for young children was the lack of an internal fixation target and the moving scanning line, which usually distracted them from a steady fixation. Despite these problems, image quality was comparable with scans previously obtained from an adult population.
Conclusions:
The flexible handheld scanner in association with high acquisition speed and high-resolution Fd-OCT allows retinal imaging in infants and children. This technology provides high-resolution documentation of retinal structure in a pediatric population for the first time.
