Wide-field OCT angiography for non-human primate retinal imaging

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Vision Science

Background:

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is vital for animal vision research.
• OCT Angiography (OCTA) enhances OCT by providing vascular imaging.
• Existing OCTA systems have limitations in field of view or resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel wide-field, high-resolution, and high-sensitivity OCTA system.
• To enable advanced imaging of non-human primate retinal disease models.

Main Methods:

• Developed a 60-degree field-of-view OCTA system with 10.5-µm transverse resolution and 104-dB sensitivity.
• Imaged non-human primates with models of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), and CLN7 Batten disease.

Main Results:

• Achieved clear visualization of retinal structures and pathologies.
• Demonstrated imaging of drusen, ellipsoid zone loss, vascular retinopathy, and retinal thinning.
• Successfully applied the system to multiple preclinical disease models.

Conclusions:

• The developed OCTA system overcomes limitations of current technologies.
• It provides unprecedented detail for studying retinal diseases in non-human primates.
• This tool advances preclinical vision research and drug development.