[OCT in Neuroophthalmology]

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become the most important innovation in ophthalmology over the last 30 years and is used routinely, especially in the diagnosis of retinal and glaucomatous diseases. It is fast, non-invasive and reproducible. Since the procedures can offer such a high resolution that the individual retinal layers can be visualised and segmented, this examination technique has also found its way into neuroophthalmology. Especially the peripapillary nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL) provide valuable diagnostic and prognostic information in cases of visual pathway disease and morphologically unexplained visual disorders. OCT is helpful in determining the cause of optic disc swelling and EDI-OCT can reliably detect buried, non-calcified drusen. This article is intended to provide the reader with an overview of current and future applications of OCT in neuroophthalmology and knowledge of possible pitfalls.