FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Light "Ultrasound" Gives Miraculous View into the Eye
Revolutionary Tomographer Allows Microscopic Analysis of the Retina and Optic Nerve
October 8, 2002 - Indianapolis, Indiana -
A new technology now gives ophthalmologists like Dr. Adam W. Brazus, MD, FACS the ability to examine the retina and optic nerve with nearly the same view as a pathologist studying cross-section slides of a biopsy specimen. Many Eye MD's believe this breakthrough will contribute significantly to the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and retinal disease.
In a painless scan that takes less than 10 minutes, the Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT3) from Zeiss Humphrey bounces near infrared light off the back of the eye. The principle is much like that of ultrasound, but light is used instead of sound to obtain much higher resolution. The images formed from measuring how the light is scattered can be used to diagnose and follow retinal conditions such as macular edema from diabetes.
"I'll be using the OCT3 primarily for early diagnosis and management of glaucoma," says Dr. Brazus. "This analysis of the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer will be extremely helpful for early detection of glaucoma."
In glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve in the back of the eye. The optic nerve is actually the collection of nerve fibers from the retinal cells as they proceed back to the brain. The OCT3 measures the surface aspects of the optic nerve as well as this retinal nerve fiber layer surrounding the nerve. This information can be used to help make the diagnosis of glaucoma as well as assess the efficacy of glaucoma therapy over time.
"Because this technology is so new, uses for it are still being developed. The next few years will be very exciting," concludes Dr. Brazus.
The OCT3
Diagram of Michelson Interferometer
Cross-sectional Image of Retina