ABSTRACT
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used in imaging of biological tissues such as eye, skin, and most recently blood vessels. In this chapter, we will give a brief history of OCT and its development, especially during the most recent years. We will also discuss about the physical principles underlying the technology. The spectrum of
CONTENTS
14.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 237 14.2 Overview .............................................................................................................................238 14.3 History and Development of OCT .................................................................................. 239 14.4 Theory and Physical Principle ......................................................................................... 241
14.4.1 Optical Interferometry .......................................................................................... 241 14.4.2 Interferometry in OCT .......................................................................................... 242
14.5 OCT Setups and Types ...................................................................................................... 243 14.5.1 Time Domain OCT ................................................................................................ 244
14.5.1.1 Device Setup ............................................................................................ 244 14.5.1.2 Formats of TD-OCT ................................................................................ 245
14.5.2 Spectral-Domain (Fourier-Domain) Optical Coherence Tomography ........... 246 14.5.2.1 Device Setup ............................................................................................ 246 14.5.2.2 Formats of SD-OCT ................................................................................ 248
14.6 Comparison of TD-OCT and SD-OCT ...........................................................................250 14.6.1 Imaging Resolution ...............................................................................................250 14.6.2 Acquisition Speed .................................................................................................. 251 14.6.3 Scan Depth Range and Spatial Extension .......................................................... 251 14.6.4 Sensitivity ................................................................................................................ 252
14.7 Applications in Ophthalmology ...................................................................................... 252 14.7.1 Retina .......................................................................................................................253 14.7.2 Qualitative Assessment of Retina .......................................................................253 14.7.3 Quantitative Assessment of Retina ..................................................................... 257
14.7.3.1 OCT-Generated Thickness Maps .......................................................... 257 14.7.3.2 Quantitative Assessment of Retinal Layers ........................................ 262
14.8 Developments and Future Directions ............................................................................. 265 References ..................................................................................................................................... 265
OCT applications is expanding quickly to include new medical and industrial disciplines. However, in this chapter, we will focus on the applications of OCT in the ophthalmological eld, more specically, in retina. Lastly, we will briey discuss newer developments in OCT technologies with focus on research topics and future directions of use in ocular diseases.
