The Imaging Expert Panel on Monday morning brought together some of the premier innovators in imaging, providing insights into upcoming developments in OCT Angiography. They introduced new and exciting work to improve image quality and increase clinical utility of OCTA.
Dr. David Huang presented the projection-resolved (PR-OCTA) software algorithm to address the problem of plexus layers in OCTA creating a projection artifact onto other layers. Clinically, this produces clear and compelling visualization and segmentation of capillary plexuses and detection of nonperfused areas in diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Kasra Rezaei presented ultra widefield OCTA (UW-OCTA), which utilizes montage algorithms as well as a flow algorithm to acquire and segment 120-degree angiography images. This allows for impressive noninvasive visualization of peripheral non-perfusion, with clinical examples given for diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Richard Rosen presented use of a normative database to produce beautiful OCTA maps color coding areas of deviation from normative perfusion. Finally, Dr. SriniVas Sadda demonstrated 9-image averaging with advanced registration techniques to create clear high-quality OCTA images with reduced noise and vessel discontinuity and better contrast and perfusion density.
The panel, moderated by Dr. Sophie Bakri, included a live audience poll of OCTA use. Just over 50% of respondents reported they do not currently use OCTA in their practices, while over 20% reported using OCTA occasionally or often. With such developments in the pipeline, we cannot wait to see how these poll numbers will shape up by next year.
Vikram Makhijani, M.D.
Medical Retina Fellow
Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School
