Near infrared oximetry-guided artery–vein classification in optical coherence tomography angiography

Abstract

Differential artery–vein analysis is valuable for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. As a new optical coherence tomography imaging modality, optical coherence tomography angiography provides capillary level resolution for accurate examination of retinal vasculatures. However, differential artery–vein analysis in optical coherence tomography angiography particularly for macular region in which blood vessels are small is challenging. In coordination with an automatic vessel tracking algorithm, we report here the feasibility of using near infrared optical coherence tomography oximetry to guide artery–vein classification in optical coherence tomography angiography of macular region.

Impact statement

It is known that arteries and veins can be affected by retinal diseases differently. Therefore, quantitative artery–vein analysis holds the promise for better disease detection and treatment evaluation. However, clinical optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) instruments lack the function of differential artery–vein analysis. Here, we report the feasibility of near infrared OCT oximetry-guided artery–vein classification in OCTA. Because the OCT and OCTA are naturally captured from the same instrument simultaneously, the presented method is feasible for practical deployment of differential artery–vein analysis in OCTA.