Diagnosing retinal diseases more accurately
Neuro-ophthalmology researcher Johannes Kübler studies the diagnostic potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT). His current research focuses on improving OCT data processing to enable a more quantitative characterization of tissue. OCT is a crucial imaging tool used to diagnose and monitor retinal disorders, primarily by detecting structural changes such as layer thinning and fluid accumulation.
Kübler demonstrates that by carefully adjusting the processing of OCT scans, more accurate measurements can be obtained that quantify the optical properties of eye tissue. OCT is frequently used to assess eye health, but obtaining precise results can sometimes be challenging. This research improves the process by identifying alternative ways to analyze the data, leading to more reliable measurements without requiring additional tests or expensive equipment.
Enhancing the precision of OCT measurements and providing more quantitative results could help detect eye diseases earlier, leading to better monitoring and more effective interventions. This would benefit patients by enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses. Additionally, the methods developed in this research may contribute to automating certain OCT processes, reducing the need for manual adjustments and making eye examinations more efficient.
In the future, these improvements could be integrated into commercial OCT systems, making high-quality eye care more accessible and affordable. This could, for example, lead to the broader use of advanced eye exams in routine check-ups, benefiting populations with limited access to specialized care.
For this study, Kübler applied a combination of laboratory experiments and data analysis. First, new calibration techniques were tested using model eye phantoms in the lab. These methods were then applied to real OCT scans from patients to evaluate their practical effectiveness. This approach demonstrates how the developed techniques can be utilized both in controlled experiments and real-world applications.
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