Introduction. We demonstrate a third generation
ultrahigh resolution ophthalmologic optical coherence tomography (OCT) system
that enables unprecedented in vivo visualization of retinal
architectural morphology, and assess its potential for imaging retinal diseases. Methods. Ultrahigh resolution OCT is
performed using a new broadband laser light source. Preliminary imaging studies were performed in patients with
normal eyes, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Results: OCT imaging with axial resolutions of
less than 3 µm has been achieved.
OCT tomograms have been correlated with standard ophthalmic examination
techniques. Ultrahigh resolution
OCT achieves the highest in vivo OCT
resolutions to date with an axial resolution improvement by a factor of ~4-5
over standard OCT retinal imaging.
Ultrahigh resolution enables visualization of internal retinal
morphology which is not resolvable with standard OCT. Image processing techniques permit quantitative measurement
of the different retinal layers including the ganglion cell layer, the
photoreceptor layer, as well as the retinal nerve fiber layer and total retinal
thickness. Conclusion. Ultrahigh resolution ophthalmic OCT enables
improved visualization of internal retinal architectural morphology as well
as increased accuracy of quantitative measurment.