Identification of iridocorneal angle structures assessed by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

To study the structures of the iridocorneal angle using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) defining their tomographic characteristics and quantifying their identification frequency.

A cross-sectional study was performed on 267 right eyes of 267 consecutive healthy patients. Fourier domain OCT RTVue (Optovue Inc, CA, EE. UU.) was used to examine the iridocorneal angle in the nasal and temporal sectors. The structures evaluated were: Sclerocorneal limbus, sclerocorneal transition, Schwalbe's line, trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, scleral spur, and angular recess. Within and between agreements to identify structures were calculated using Cohen's kappa coefficient.

The mean age was 41.3 ± 14.3 years (range 20-80), with 57% being women. The sclerocorneal limbus, sclerocorneal transition, and Schwalbe's line were identified by 98.7, 97 and 93.4% of the images, respectively, with the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal being identified in 91% of cases. The scleral spur could be identified in 85.4%, and the angular recess in 74.5%. There was no difference in the identification between the temporal and nasal sectors. Within and between agreement was k=0.92 and k=0.88, respectively, in the identification of the structures of the total images studied.

Fourier domain OCT is a reliable technique for the identification of the structures of the iridocorneal angle, among which can be highlighted are, the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, scleral spur, and Schwalbe's line.