Update of choroidal imaging techniques: Past, present and future

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Anatomy

Background:

• The choroid, a vascular and pigmented layer of the eye, plays a crucial role in various ophthalmological diseases.
• Historically, studying choroidal structure and function was challenging due to limitations in imaging technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of choroidal imaging techniques.
• To highlight the impact of optical coherence tomography (OCT) on choroidal research and clinical practice.
• To discuss future directions in choroidal imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and current imaging technologies for choroidal assessment.
• Focus on ultrasound, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography.
• Discussion of recent advancements and future prospects in OCT technology.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound and indocyanine green angiography were early methods for choroidal study with ongoing clinical relevance.
• Optical coherence tomography has revolutionized choroidal imaging, enabling precise quantification of its shape and thickness.
• Recent OCT developments offer enhanced resolution and new analytical possibilities.

Conclusions:

• Accurate and reliable measurement of choroidal morphology is a recent achievement.
• Optical coherence tomography is the leading technology for current and future choroidal imaging.
• Continued advancements in OCT promise deeper insights into ocular health and disease.