Laser-integrated Real-Time Optical Coherence Tomography (LI-OCT) in Anterior Segment Procedures.

Abstract

ABSTRACT\nIntraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) was so far only available as microscope-integrated or hand-held device. Recently, this technology has been integrated into a femtosecond laser (FS). This pilot-study analyzes the potential of intraoperative imaging using OCT during FS-assisted procedures of the anterior eye segment. Therefore, intraoperatively acquired videos using FS-integrated intraoperative OCT (LI-OCT) in 14 patients (Victus, Bausch and Lomb, Rochester, USA) where analyzed in different surgical. The results show, that all surgical steps could be successfully visualized by LI-OCT. LI-OCT added important information regarding the depth and location of the incisions and dissection planes. Moreover, dynamic processes could be observed in real-time. LI-OCT represents a novel imaging technology that makes it possible to visualize intraoperative steps during FS-assisted surgery. In the future, automatic image analysis based on artificial intelligence could be helpful to detect complications at an early stage and to automatically stop the laser process in relevant constellations.