Aktuelle Tagungsinformationen
News and Updates
Anmeldung zur Tagung
Registration
Hotelbuchung
Hotel Registration
Grußwort
Welcome address
Beteiligte Gesellschaften
Societies involved
Eröffnung des Kongresses
Opening Ceremony
Preise
Awards
Wissenschaftliches Programm
Scientific program
Posterpräsentationen
Poster Presentation
Kurse
Courses
Begleitende Veranstaltungen
Collateral Events
Rahmenprogramm
Social program
Jubiläumsparty
Jubilee Party
DOG Information
DOG Information
Allgemeine Informationen
General Information
Autorenindex
Index of Authors
Ausstellerliste
Exhibitors
Sponsoren
Sponsors
Teilnahmegebühren
Registration fees
Impressum
DOG Homepage
The Role of Optical Coherence Tomography in Classification and Follow-up of Macular Edema
Schaudig U., Wulff A., Mertens S., Scholz F., Richard G.,
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde (Hamburg)
Background: With optical coherence tomography, structural changes of the retina can be imaged in high resolution. OCT allows the quantitative assessment of retinal thickening in two-dimensional, cross-sectional images. Measurements of retinal thickness have already been incorporated as an objective parpameter into clinical trial protocols on diabetic maculopathy, wherewithin OCT competes with other methods of independent evaluation like 7-field stereo-photography and with other imaging techniques like the retinal thickness analyzer and the HRT.
Method: In OCT, two-dimesional cross-sectional images are produced from light backscattered from the retina, using interferometry with short-coherent light; axial resolution is limited by the bandwidth of the light source. In commercially available units, resolution is currently at around 10µm, in experimental units, 2µm have already been reached. Topographic maps of retinal thickness can be produced by automated serial measurements.
Current status of OCT in clinical practice and science: There are a number of publications about the use of OCT in various forms of macular edema, that show the potential of the method. The amount of retinal thickening in cystoid macular edema correlates whith the reduction of visual acuity. The distribution of intraretinal fluid accumulation indirectly shows the break down of the inner or outer blood-retinal barrier. The accuracy of detetecting retinal thickening correlates with that of stereo-photograhy. In the presence of central serous retinopathy, OCT can eliminate the need for inasive imaging (angiography). In diabetic maculopathy, OCT can help in the individual clinical case and can be used in clinical trials but cannot replace other methods in use. The latest generation of commercially available units shows major improvements of handling, imaging and acquisition time. It can be expected that the resolution will be increased and that OCT data will be incorporated in clincal classifications of various retinal diseases in the future.