Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Clinical Utility and Future Directions

Purpose: This work aims to review the principles of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), to survey its clinical utility, and to highlight the strengths of this technology as well as barriers to adoption.

Methods: A literature review with editorial discussion of the current applications for OCTA is presented.

Results: There have been recent advances in multiple domains in OCTA imaging, including devices, algorithms, and new observations pertaining to a range of pathologies. New devices have improved the scanning speed, signal-to-noise ratio, and spatial resolution and offer an increased field of view. New algorithms have been proposed to optimize image processing and reduce artifacts. Numerous studies employing OCTA have been published describing changes to the microvasculature in diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and uveitis.

Conclusions: OCTA provides noninvasive, high-resolution volumetric scans of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. OCTA can provide valuable data to augment traditional dye-based angiography in a range of chorioretinal diseases.