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OCT an important technology for anterior segment surgeons
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NEW YORK — Optical coherence tomography plays a key role in diagnosing and directing patient care for surgery, consultation and medical treatment of anterior segment disorders, according to a physician speaking here.
Richard E. Braunstein, MD, discussed the indications and benefits of using optical coherence tomography (OCT) for anterior segment purposes at Columbia University's Imaging and Visual Diagnostics: State of the Art meeting.
According to Dr. Braunstein, OCT's main preoperative indications include corneal transplantation, laser vision correction, YAG capsulotomy and cataract surgery, while suboptimal outcomes represent its main postoperative indication.
He noted that the technology can be particularly useful for preoperatively evaluating cataract surgery patients, and it has changed how he approaches many patients in his practice.
"When it comes to cataract surgery, we're always faced with the fact that we're looking through the same lens opacity that the patient is looking out of, and we're evaluating the macula and trying to determine the likelihood of success ... based on how we think the retina looks," Dr. Braunstein said.
"Frequently, it's hard to determine if there's any abnormality or not. OCT can certainly be helpful in those patients," he said.