Study: SD-OCT allows objectivity, greater accuracy in monitoring keratitis

In a study to assess an alternative device to follow keratitis, researchers reported in Optometry and Vision Science that they had success with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Hixson and colleagues examined two cases of keratitis to determine whether SD-OCT would be an effective measurement tool.

Both participants were diagnosed with disciform keratitis. The researchers measured the thickest area of their respective corneas using SD-OCT throughout their treatment, as detailed in the study.

Their results showed that they were able to pinpoint microcycstic edema and keratic precipitates and efficiently analyze therapeutic interventions using SD-OCT. Due to this, as well as other measurements, the researchers reported in the study that participants experienced reduced edema and corneal thickness.

"Anterior segment SD-OCT allows objective measurements of corneal thickness and presents an adjunctive method for following various forms of keratitis involving corneal edema with greater accuracy and objectivity than may be appreciated with subjective biomicroscopic evaluation alone," the authors concluded. "Because OCT is a noncontact instrument, measurements may be taken without the disturbing effects of an anesthetic. This type of imaging is objective and may be useful in clinical settings where there are multiple doctors or in studies where an objective reading is desirable.

"There seems to be no disadvantages to using SD-OCT to monitor keratitis resolution as long as it is used in conjunction with visual acuity measurement and biomicroscopy," they said.