Laser-integrated real-time OCT in anterior segment procedures

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) was so far only available as a microscope-integrated or handheld device. Recently, this technology has been integrated into a femtosecond (FS) laser. This pilot study analyzed the potential of intraoperative imaging using OCT during FS-assisted procedures of the anterior eye segment. Therefore, intraoperatively acquired videos using FS-integrated intraoperative OCT (laser-integrated [LI] OCT) in 14 patients (Victus, Bausch & Lomb) were analyzed in different surgical procedures. The results showed that all surgical steps could be successfully visualized by LI-OCT. LI-OCT added important information regarding the depth and location of the incisions and dissection planes. Moreover, dynamic processes could be observed in real-time. LI-OCT represents a new imaging technology that makes it possible to visualize intraoperative steps during FS-assisted surgery. In the future, automatic image analysis based on artificial intelligence could be helpful to detect complications at an early stage and to automatically stop the laser process in relevant constellations.