Advances in swept-source optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography

Background:The fast development of swept-source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT)and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(SS-OCTA)enables both anterior and posterior imaging of the eye.These techniques have evolved from a research tool to an essential clinical imaging modality.Main text:The longer wavelength and faster speed of SS-OCT and SS-OCTA facilitate better visualization of structure and vasculature below pigmented tissue with a larger field of view of the posterior segment and 360-degree visualization of the anterior segment.In the past 10 years,algorithms dealing with OCT and OCTA data also vastly improved the image quality and enabled the automated quantification of OCT-and OCTA-derived metrics.This technology has enriched our current understanding of healthy and diseased eyes.Even though the high cost of the systems currently limited the widespread use of SS-OCT and SS-OCTA at the first beginning,the gap between research and clinic practice got obviously shortened in the past few years.Conclusions:SS-OCT and SS-OCTA will continue to evolve rapidly,contributing to a paradigm shift toward more widespread adoption of new imaging technology in clinical practice.