Acquisition of retinal images of pigs using fìberoptic optical coherence tomography for coronary artery

Purpose : In ophthalmology, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is taken by emitting examination light from the OCT device. In contrast, OCT for coronary artery is taken by inserting OCT fiber into coronary artery in cardiology. In this study, we performed retinal imaging of a porcine eye using fiberoptic OCT for coronary arteries to investigate the possibility of application of fiberoptic OCT for coronary artery in the field of ophthalmology. Methods : Fiberoptic OCT for coronary arteries was inserted into the vitreous cavities of three porcine eyes, and retinal OCT images were taken. After taking intact retinal OCT images, iatrogenic retinal damages were intentionally made and those OCT images were also taken. Results : Fiberoptic OCT for coronary arteries enabled acquisition of retinal OCT images. It was considered difficult to use it directly in ophthalmology because the fiber diameter is large and the examination light is emitted at right angles from the fibers, making it difficult to take retinal images in the posterior pole. Conclusion : Acquisition of OCT images was possible with the fiber-type OCT for coronary arteries. If thin-diameter forward-looking ophthalmic fiberoptic OCT were created, it would be possible to evaluate the retina during vitreous surgery.