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Novel endoscopic OCT system holds promise for future of vitreoretinal surgery
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LISBON, Portugal – A novel endoscopic optical coherence tomography system specifically designed for the eye could provide important information during vitreoretinal surgery, improving anatomical and functional outcomes and reducing complication rates, according to one speaker.
“It is only a prototype at the moment, but it will probably become the future of OCT-guided surgery,” Francesco Boscia, MD, said at the Controversies in Ophthalmology meeting.
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The device uses probes that are similar to those used for endovascular OCT imaging. It enables real-time 360° circumferential scanning, which is ideal for surgical maneuvers.
“It guides you through surgery without interruption,” he said. “With current hand-held or microscopy-mounted OCT systems, the surgeon has to stop, evaluate, get back to surgery. It can be somewhat cumbersome and time-consuming.”
Through personal experience and analysis of the literature, Boscia showed to the audience that intraoperative OCT provides significant advantages for vitreoretinal procedures of macular pathologies.
“It allows us to see the invisible,” he said. “To do pre-incisional assessment of vitreomacular relationships, to evaluate structural changes in response to manipulation, to visualize the planes for dissection, to see the presence or absence of subretinal fluids. This is just to mention a few of the potential applications.”
Disclosure: Boscia has no relevant financial disclosures.