High resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography of ocular surface lesions: A review and handbook.

INTRODUCTION: High resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) has revolutionized the way by which clinicians can diagnose and differentiate ocular surface lesions. Careful interpretation of HR-OCT images can provide morphological information about the lesion of interest and help guide the diagnosis.

AREAS COVERED: This paper reviews the steps to interpreting HR-OCT images of ocular surface lesions and summarizes their characteristic findings.

EXPERT OPINION: Among the multiple modalities available to image the ocular surface and anterior segment, HR-OCT has emerged as an instrumental tool to obtain "optical biopsies" of various ocular surface lesions. A step-by-step approach to acquiring and interpreting HR-OCT images can allow for accurate in-office characterization and diagnosis of both benign and malignant ocular surface lesions.