SD OCT used successfully in unsedated ROP patients

Researchers used a handheld spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) system to image three severely premature infants with advanced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP); one without sedation at the bedside and two under general anesthesia in the OR.

Despite the presence of tunica vasculosa lentis and vitreous bands, they were able to identify preretinal structures, retinoschisis and retinal detachment in the posterior pole. The retinoschisis and preretinal structures were not identified on clinical examination by expert pediatric ophthalmologists. The authors conclude that this novel imaging modality can be performed on sedated and non-sedated premature neonates to obtain valuable information on retinal structure that may aid in treatment decisions.