Choroidal analysis in healthy eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography compared to spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To compare analyses of choroidal thickness and volume in healthy eyes measured concurrently with prototype long-wavelength swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and commercially available spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with and without enhanced depth imaging (EDI).

DESIGN: Prospective cross sectional study.

METHODS: The study included 19 healthy subjects (19 eyes), who were prospectively recruited to undergo 2 consecutive imaging sessions on the same randomly selected eye using spectral domain OCT and a prototype long-wavelength swept-source OCT. On spectral domain OCT, 2 line scans, 1 with and 1 without EDI, and 1 volumetric scan were obtained. On swept-source OCT, 1 line scan and 1 volumetric scan were obtained. Scan patterns on swept-source OCT were created to simulate those available on Cirrus HD-OCT to keep the time of image acquisition constant. Swept-source OCT volumetric scans were motion corrected using a novel registration algorithm. Choroidal thickness and volume were analyzed.

RESULTS: The choroidoscleral interface was clearly visualized in 19/19 (100%) of eyes imaged by swept-source OCT, compared to 14/19 (73.6%) and 13/19 (68.4%) eyes imaged by spectral domain OCT, with and without EDI, respectively. There was no significant difference in choroidal thickness measurements on the line scans obtained on either system (P = 0.10). Choroidal volume could not be assessed on volumetric scans from spectral domain OCT. Mean choroidal volume from swept-source OCT volumetric scans was 11.77 ± 3.13 mm(3) (6.43 mm(3)-17.15 mm(3)).

CONCLUSION: This is the first study that compares simultaneously a prototype long-wavelength swept-source OCT to a commercially available spectral domain OCT for a detailed analysis of choroid in healthy eyes. Swept-source OCT shows potential for better choroidal analysis. Studies using swept-source OCT in diseased eyes will further define this new technology's utility in chorioretinal diseases.