[Intraoperative real-time OCT in macular surgery]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Technology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is crucial for diagnosing vitreomacular interface disorders.
• SD-OCT provides high-resolution anatomical views, complementing vitreoretinal surgery.
• It offers detailed intraoperative insights beyond standard microscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of intraoperative real-time OCT in refining surgical techniques for vitreomacular disorders.
• To explore the clinical applications of real-time OCT in macular surgery.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was performed.
• Systematically evaluated in-house data were analyzed.
• Potential applications of intraoperative real-time OCT were assessed.

Main Results:

• Real-time OCT visualizes epiretinal membranes and confirms complete removal post-surgery.
• It provides novel qualitative and quantitative data, aiding surgical decisions.
• Membrane peeling can be done without dyes in select cases, but precise maneuver guidance is limited.

Conclusions:

• Intraoperative real-time OCT visualizes surgical effects on retinal microarchitecture.
• It enhances understanding of vitreomacular disorder pathophysiology and prognosis.
• Current systems face limitations in providing accurate real-time surgical guidance.