Detecting AMD with Multiply Scattered Light Tomography

Purpose: to use a novel technique, Multiply Scattered LightTomography (MSLT), to provide a comfortable, rapid, and noninvasive method for detection and management of Age-related Macualar Degeneration.Methods: two patient groups were studied in clinical settings with MSLT and confocal scanning laser tomography. In Poway, CA, 21 retinal patients underwent tomography, and the 17 patients with suspicion of exudation also had ICG. An Angio-Scan(Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.) was used to provide simultaneous fundus reflectance and ICG imaging. In Methuen, MA, 20 retinal patients underwent tomography with fluorescein angiography for suspicion of exudation. The MSLT was based on the TopSS (LaserDiagnostic Technologies, Inc.), with a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser array at 850 mm as the illumination source. The central laser produced confocal images. The surrounding lasers produced multiply scattered light images.Results: MSLT emphasized structures beneath the retina such as drusen, choroidal new vessel membranes, and pigment epithelial detachments. Exudation seen on angiography was visualized by MSLT as topographical structures with distinct borders.Superficial structures, e.g., cysts and epiretinal membranes, were visualized in 850 nm images.Discussion: confocal tomography and MSLT provided a rapid, noninvasive method to detect and localize macular degeneration and pathological structures found in eyes of older patients.