Clinical use of OCTA could represent paradigm shift

ByErich Martin

OCT angiography may represent a shifting paradigm, overtaking the use of fluorescein angiography in the clinic, according to a presenter at the virtual OSN New York Retina meeting.

“The technology will become even more powerful as the speed of OCT increases,” David Huang, MD, PhD, said.

Since its introduction into clinical environments in 2014, OCTA iterations now include spectral domain and swept source devices, with axial scan repetition rates greater than 100 kHz for some devices. Historically, on average, the speed of commercial OCT platforms doubles every 2 years, Huang said.

With projection-resolved OCTA, four distinct retinal plexuses can be distinguished: nerve fiber layer plexus, ganglion cell layer plexus, intermediate capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus. The choriocapillaris can be visualized as well.

The 3-D nature of OCTA and its ability to visualize plexus-specific pathologies are useful in classifying diseases, such as optic nerve diseases, outer retinal diseases, retinal vascular diseases and neovascularization, as well as staging some diseases and monitoring response to treatment, Huang said.

OCTA requires no injection and is faster and cheaper than fluorescein angiography, Huang said.

“Because it is cheap and noninvasive, it can be used at every visit for disease screening and monitoring,” Huang said. “I believe OCTA will be used a lot more than FA ever was.”

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Sources/Disclosures

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Source:

Huang D. OCT angiography in routine clinical practice: Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Presented at: OSN New York and OSN New York Retina; Oct. 17-18, 2020 (virtual meeting).

Disclosures: Huang reports he has received material support from Optovue.