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Time is now for retina exams to move from slit lamp to OCT biomicroscopy
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 Alexander C. Walsh |
WAILEA, Hawaii — With the evolution of biomicroscopy and the ability of the optical coherence tomography platform to consistently and efficiently store, measure and compare useful images, retina specialists should begin considering shifting away from the slit lamp to OCT biomicroscopy, a speaker here said.
In a presentation at Retina 2012, Alexander C. Walsh, MD, outlined his argument for a paradigm shift in retinal exams.
"Slit lamp biomicroscopes should be replaced by protocol-driven tomographers that can be operated by non-physicians, store images of all eye tissues over time, and perform measurements from these images," Dr. Walsh said.
He said OCT presents numerous advantages over the slit lamp, starting with the fact that everyone approaches their slit lamp exam differently. He also said that a slit lamp exam makes it extremely difficult to make comparisons over time for a large area. "Objective storage and comparisons between visits can take the guesswork out of monitoring progression," he said.
Another advantage of OCT technology is that it will free up the ophthalmologist to spend more time on diagnosis and treatment with the patient.
OCT still poses some limitations, such as not showing hemorrhage, and it is unable to examine the adnexa or palpebral conjunctivae.
On balance, however, Dr. Walsh said that "at the current time, OCT may be the best candidate technology to overcome the limitations of conventional biomicroscopy."
- Disclosure: Dr. Walsh is currently developing a new OCT device with and is a stakeholder in Envision Diagnostics.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2013 will be held January 20-25, 2013, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii's Big Island. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com or RetinaMeeting.com.