Artifacts and artifact removal in optical coherence tomographic angiography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) is a key technology for 3D retinal vasculature imaging.
• OCTA aids in quantifying healthy vessels and diagnosing various retinal diseases.
• Artifacts in OCTA data can compromise measurement accuracy and image interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common artifacts encountered in OCTA imaging.
• To discuss the sources of projection, motion, and signal reduction artifacts.
• To present strategies for artifact removal and compensation in OCTA data.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of OCTA artifacts and compensation techniques.
• Analysis of artifact sources including projection, motion, and signal reduction.
• Evaluation of strategies for artifact removal and correction.

Main Results:

• Identified common OCTA artifacts and their origins.
• Described methods for mitigating projection, motion, and signal reduction artifacts.
• Highlighted the importance of artifact compensation for accurate OCTA measurements.

Conclusions:

• Artifacts are a significant challenge in OCTA imaging.
• Effective artifact removal strategies are crucial for reliable OCTA data.
• Integrating hardware and software for artifact correction will enhance OCTA's clinical utility.