Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography in systemic disease.

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an integral component of present-day ophthalmologic practice. As use of OCT has increased in popularity and frequency of use, a growing number of systemic diseases are now known to have associated findings on both OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA). This review was written to discuss how a multitude of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, neoplastic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases manifest on OCT and OCTA. The findings thus far highlight the potential utility of OCT and OCTA for diagnosing and monitoring progression of these disease processes. Many current studies are limited by small sample sizes, varying image processing algorithms, image artifact, and differing machines used to acquire images, underscoring the need for further research with increased patient numbers and standardized image acquisition and image processing protocols. Despite these current limitations, the steadily increasing volume of data suggests that there will ultimately be a role for both OCT and OCTA to noninvasively monitor the progression of systemic disease over time.