Prospective Intraoperative and Perioperative Ophthalmic Imaging With Optical Coherence Tomography: PIONEER Study

Over the last decade, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a critical component to the evaluation of ophthalmic disease. Similar to ultrasound, OCT uses light to reconstruct an image of the tissue of interest. In effect, OCT has become to function as a light biopsy, allowing clinicians to visualize subtle pathologic changes in the tissue, such as macular edema or subretinal fluid. The use of OCT in the clinic setting has become the standard for monitoring diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. It has quickly become the most frequent ordered diagnostic test in ophthalmology.

Due to restraints in the size and structure of the imaging equipment, the use of OCT in the operating room has been limited. More recently, modifications to OCT table-top models as well as the development of hand-held OCT probes have allowed for the translation of OCT technology into the operating room. The high resolution anatomic information that is gained from OCT imaging is a natural complement to the ophthalmic surgeon. Using OCT during vitreoretinal surgery has revealed subtle changes in the microarchitecture of the retina in diseases such as retinal detachment, macular hole, and optic pit, that were not previously known. Using OCT during lamellar corneal transplant procedures, anterior segment surgeons have been able to image proper placement of the graft that was previously unattainable with a standard surgical microscopic view.

Using information gained from OCT, surgeons may be able to improve surgical decision making and improve clinical outcomes. For this study, subjects undergoing ophthalmic surgery, including vitreoretinal surgery and anterior segment surgery, would have OCT imaging performed in the perioperative period, intraoperative period, or both to document architectural changes in the ocular tissues. This information would be prospectively collected and reviewed for associations with anatomic and functional outcomes.

A microscope-mounted OCT system will be used to assess feasibility and utility of imaging during ophthalmic surgical milestones.