OCT imaging technology can improve the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma

To enhance the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, a team of researchers from the Indiana University School of Optometry has introduced a groundbreaking non-invasive technique that allows for detailed visualization and counting of individual cells in the eye. This innovative approach offers a more accurate way to monitor retinal health and detect early signs of damage.

Zhou Lin Liu, the lead author of the study and a research assistant at the Donal T. Miller Laboratory, described the technique as a high-resolution and highly sensitive optical microscope. She explained that this method enables ophthalmologists to directly count retinal ganglion cells—cells that are destroyed in glaucoma—which allows for earlier detection of the disease's progression.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, as it gradually damages the retina, which plays a crucial role in converting light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.

Professor Donal T. Miller, who leads the research at the University of Indiana’s School of Optometry, noted that these retinal ganglion cells are very small, transparent, and have minimal reflectivity. This makes it difficult for current clinical tools to produce clear images of their condition. He emphasized that early detection at the single-cell level could significantly improve outcomes for patients with glaucoma and other retinal diseases.

The team's method enhances optical coherence tomography (OCT), the standard technique used in diagnosing eye diseases. By integrating adaptive optics—a technology originally developed for astronomy to reduce atmospheric distortion—the lab has achieved higher resolution and contrast in retinal imaging.

Liu added, “We’ve created a non-invasive alternative to traditional retinal biopsies by using advanced optical techniques. This allows repeated, detailed imaging of the same cells without harming the retina. By adjusting the instrument’s focus, we can capture clear images of cells at any depth, from the surface to the deepest layers of the retina.”

Miller and his team are now working on making this technique sensitive enough to detect the physiological activity of retinal cells. He said, “If we succeed, we will open up new possibilities for mapping retinal neural circuits and identifying the earliest signs of disease development, which could revolutionize how we diagnose and treat vision-related conditions.”