Three dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography (Swept Source OCT) of a healthy human choroid in the center of the retina (fovea). The picture shows converging vascular channels with their inner ceiling and outer ground . Blood cells are not depicted, since they have a too fast flow. The height of the imaged channels is about 100 micrometer.
The 'zone of Haller' or 'Haller's layer' is the outermost layer of the choroid consisting of larger diameter blood vessels. Named after the Swiss anatomist Albrecht (Victor) von Haller.
Optical Coherence Tomography or OCT is a non-invasive, non-touch imaging technique that is based on coherent laser waves which produce optical cross sectional images. OCT is used in the diagnosis of diabetes, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
These images are produced by a lab which has developed a new noise filter, that allows 'speckle noise' freed imaging, which is said to enhance the imaging of the retinal structures.
This image has been created by extracting the three dimensional structures from the OCT scans. The vessels were extracted from the 3D data stack using a semi-automatic rolling-marble method. From these data, a 3D digital model of the outer choroid was calculated. Colors and textures were added to highlight the choroidal walls.
In ophthalmology, the introduction of new, non-invasive and non-touch imaging modalities such as OCT has increased the visualization of the in vivo structures of the eye and provided crucial insights into the early diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. OCT can be compared to ultrasound. Instead of soundwaves, a coherent 1050nm laser light may be used to obtain 256 high resolution cross sectional images of a human retina
The retina has a vital role in vision. Permanent blindess can be caused by damage to the retina in diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma or age-related-macular degeneration. The unique function of the retina is supported by the blood flow of which approximately 70 percent goes through the choroid. The choroid shows the highest perfusion of any tissue in the human body. The center most part of the retina is called fovea and is responsible for central, sharpest vision. This avascular fovea receives metabolites and oxygen to 100 percent from the choroidal circulation, emphasizing the extraordinary importance of the choroid.
