Reproducibility of In-Vivo OCT Measured Three-Dimensional Human Lamina Cribrosa Microarchitecture

Abstract

PurposeTo determine the reproducibility of automated segmentation of the three-dimensional (3D) lamina cribrosa (LC) microarchitecture scanned in-vivo using optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsThirty-nine eyes (8 healthy, 19 glaucoma suspects and 12 glaucoma) from 49 subjects were scanned twice using swept-source (SS−) OCT in a 3.5×3.5×3.64 mm (400×400×896 pixels) volume centered on the optic nerve head, with the focus readjusted after each scan. The LC was automatically segmented and analyzed for microarchitectural parameters, including pore diameter, pore diameter standard deviation (SD), pore aspect ratio, pore area, beam thickness, beam thickness SD, and beam thickness to pore diameter ratio. Reproducibility of the parameters was assessed by computing the imprecision of the parameters between the scans.ResultsThe automated segmentation demonstrated excellent reproducibility. All LC microarchitecture parameters had an imprecision of less or equal to 4.2%. There was little variability in imprecision with respect to diagnostic category, although the method tends to show higher imprecision amongst healthy subjects.ConclusionThe proposed automated segmentation of the LC demonstrated high reproducibility for 3D LC parameters. This segmentation analysis tool will be useful for in-vivo studies of the LC.

New developments in optical coherence tomography

“…This allows visualization of structures such as the choroid [17,18,19 ■ ] and lamina cribrosa (Fig. 1) [20 ■ ,21 ■■ ], along with structures at the anterior chamber angle [22 ■ ,23 ■ ]. …”

Lamina Cribrosa in Glaucoma: Diagnosis and Monitoring

“…Larger beam thickness to pore diameter ratios and higher pore diameter standard deviations were observed in the glaucoma group, possibly reflecting beam remodelling in glaucomatous eyes, with axonal loss, reduction in pore size, and increased pore size variability [67]. Microarchitecture measurements of the lamina cribrosa using SS-OCT had good reproducibility with an imprecision of less than or equal to 4.2 % [68]. …”

Recent advances in OCT imaging of the lamina cribrosa

“…Recently, 3D microarchitecture has started to be reported using SS-OCT, 35 36 AO-OCT 35 37 and AO-SLO. 38 Microarchitectural analysis has generally aimed to identify changes in LC beam and pore structure associated with the development or progression of glaucoma.…”