OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) uses motion contrast to non-invasively image the retinal and choroidal vasculature without the need for dye injection. It provides layer-by-layer 3D analysis and quantification. While it has advantages over fluorescein angiography like shorter acquisition time, OCT-A cannot image leakage or pooling and has limitations like motion artifacts and limited field of view. OCT-A is being used to evaluate diseases like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and vascular occlusions but currently serves as a complementary test rather than replacement for fluorescein angiography.

1. OCTA
(OCT Angiography)
Strengths and Limitations
ZIA UL MAZHRY

3. INTRODUCTION-OCTA Principle
OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) is a
non-invasive imaging
technique of the retinal and
choroidal vasculature and
microvasculature. OCT-A uses
the principle of “motion
contrast” for the detection of
blood flow.

4. Features of OCT-Angio
• OCT-A does not require an injection
of contrast dye,
• ability to perform a layer-by-layer
analysis of the vasculature
– with a 3-dimensional (3D) approach;
– the entire retina,
• RPCP+SCP+ICP,
• DCP,
• Outer Retina and
• Choroid
• Leakage, pooling or staining regions
– are normally not detected by OCT-A
– do not present enough “motion” to be
imaged

5. Advantages over conventional
angiography methods
• shorter acquisition time and being a non-
invasive process
• One asset of this OCT-based approach is that it
provides a quantitative analysis
• OCT-A technology provides "3-D" imaging
information of the macula

6. Strengths-
Ischemia
Evaluation
OCTA of a patient
with sickle cell
maculopathy. Note
that while the SCP
is relatively
preserved (A), the
DCP shows areas
of ischemia
temporal to the
fovea (B).

7. Strengths-
Better
Visualization
of CNVs
• A) FA image of a large,
mature fibrovascular scar
from type 1 CNV. Because of
the extensive scarring of the
macula, there is
hypofluorescence centrally.
• B) OCTA image overlaid on
FA. In this case, OCTA is able
to image the CNV lesion in
greater detail than FA, with
the mature trunks of the CNV
lesion clearly visible.
• C) The sub-RPE space was
segmented to isolate the CNV
lesion.

8. FFA and OCTA
comparison in
BRVO
• A) Early-phase FA of a
BRVO.
• B) Mid-phase FA.
• C) OCTA en face image
of the retina, with
corresponding B-scan.
• D) OCTA en face image
segmenting the
preretinal space, with
corresponding B-scan.

9. Fovea Plana
Beauty of
Segmentation
OCTA images of a patient
with fovea plana.
• A) SCP demonstrates the
absence of a normal FAZ.
The corresponding B-scan
shows no foveal
depression.
• B) OCTA en face image of
the DCP shows that
although the FAZ is
absent in the SCP, it is
still present in the DCP.

10. Limitations & Artefacts
• Media opacities can lead to signal attenuation and
shadowing artifact.
• Projection artifact is inevitable
• OCT-A examination is extremely motion-sensitive and
requires patient collaboration
• Automated segmentation of structural abnormal retinas
is also an unavoidable limitation of OCT-A imaging.
• the limited area of visualization (3mm2 to 12mm2) is a
current limitation.[
• OCT-A detects "motion", and thus very low amounts of
blood

11. OCTA-
LIMITATIONS
/ ARTIFACTS
• A) OCTA en face image with
a dark area caused by a
floater (yellow dashed
circle).
• B) The structural en face
image shows the same
artifact in the same location.
• C) B-scan through the area
shows are dark shadow
through all layers of the
retina, suggesting that this
is a vitreal floater.

12. LIMITATIONS
/ ARTIFACTS-
Projection
Artifact
• A) Type 2 CNV
close to the level
of the RPE,
without
projection
artifact removal.
• B) Same lesion
with projection
artifact removal.

13. LIMITATIONS
/ ARTIFACTS-
Leakage not
visible
• A) OCTA en face image
of the retina of a
patient with diabetic
macular edema.
Retinal ischemia
around the FAZ can be
seen, but intraretinal
fluid and leakage are
not visible.
• B) B-scan shows
intraretinal fluid at the
macula.

14. LIMITATIONS
/ ARTIFACTS-
Segmentation
error
• A) Choriocapillaris
with segmentation
error.
• B) Choriocapillaris
without
segmentation
error.

15. Clinical Applications
• Retina
–Diabetic retinopathy
–Dry age-related macular degeneration
–Wet age-related macular degeneration
–Central serous corioretinopathy
–Vascular occlusions
–Macular telangiectasia
–Choroidal neovascular membranes
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis

16. Nidek OCT-Angiography
• high resolution OCT
• an integrated SLO system
• Wide Field OCT-
Angiography
• Eye Tracer
• CNV Analysis
• Selectable OCT Sensitivity
• Choroidal Visualization

17. Case1-BRVO with macular Edema

18. CNV in a Young Man with presumed
Ocular Histoplasmosis

19. CNV in a Young Man with presumed
Ocular Histoplasmosis-Post Anti VEGF
Rx

20. NPDR with CSME-No Ischemia

21. Case- -Ischemic CRVO

22. Summary
• the word “angiography” as part of their names, it is natural for clinicians to
draw comparisons between the two imaging modalities, and even explore the
possibility of replacing FA with OCTA.
• It is important to note that while both OCTA and FA aim to image blood flow,
they are different technologies, and will therefore image vascular features
differently. Although OCTA generally shows good agreement with FA, it does
not, at least presently, serve as a replacement for FA.
• As mentioned above, OCTA is not able to image leakage. In addition, staining,
pooling, and vessel filling time are also not features of OCTA. However, this
also means that vasculature below an area of fluid, which would otherwise be
obscured by dye leakage with FA, can be seen on OCTA4. Since they each
have their strengths and weaknesses, determining which test is indicated for
the patient should be based on clinical need.
• Most likely, OCTA will serve as a complementary test to FA, giving clinicians
additional information for assessing retinal vasculature.

23. Thank you