Anterior Segment Imaging: Optical Coherence Tomography Versus Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical indications of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy in anterior segment imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients were evaluated using AS-OCT and ultrasound biomicroscopy. RESULTS: AS-OCT was ideal for detailed imaging of structures from the surface of the eye to the iris plane. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was ideal for imaging structures from the surface of the eye to the anterior vitreous. CONCLUSION: AS-OCT is indicated for imaging the conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, and iris, screening the angle, and visualizing subconjunctival, corneal, and anterior chamber implants. Coronal imaging, unique to AC Cornea OCT (Ophthalmic Technologies Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada), graphically defines structures viewed on cross-sectional OCT. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is indicated for imaging the conjunctiva, sclera, iris, lens, and ciliary body, for tumor measurements, for light-and-dark tests in glaucoma, and for viewing subconjunctival, anterior chamber, posterior chamber, and pars plana implants.