Description: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows for high-resolution images of the retina and other eye structures. It uses an interferometry principle to capture cross-sectional sections of tissues, providing detailed information about the morphology and microstructure of ocular layers. Unlike other imaging techniques, OCT offers axial resolution in the micrometer range, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring various ocular pathologies. Its ability to visualize subtle changes in the retina and optic nerve makes it indispensable in clinical practice, especially in managing diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, OCT has expanded beyond ophthalmology, finding applications in other medical fields, such as cardiology and dermatology, where it is used to assess internal structures of tissues with great precision.
History: Optical Coherence Tomography was developed in the 1990s, with significant contributions from researchers like Paul Huang and his team at the Stanford University Eye Institute. In 1991, Huang and colleagues published a seminal paper describing the technique, marking the beginning of its application in ophthalmology. Since then, the technology has rapidly evolved, improving image resolution and acquisition speed, allowing for its use in a variety of clinical applications.
Uses: Optical Coherence Tomography is primarily used in ophthalmology to diagnose and monitor retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. It is also applied in other medical fields, such as cardiology, to assess the morphology of coronary arteries, and in dermatology, to examine skin lesions and dermal structures.
Examples: A practical example of Optical Coherence Tomography is its use in evaluating patients with macular degeneration, where it allows doctors to observe changes in the retinal structure that may indicate disease progression. Another example is its application in glaucoma diagnosis, where it is used to measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, helping to determine the health of the optic nerve.
