High-resolution retinal imaging in young children using a handheld scanner and Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE To test the feasibility and applicability of a handheld probe for Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (Fd-OCT) retinal imaging in infants and children. METHODS Thirty children ages 7 months to 9.9 years, with (10 of 30) or without (20 of 30) retinal pathology, were imaged with Fd-OCT. Imaging was performed under sedation in 10 of 30 children ages 7 months to 3.7 Years. A high-resolution Fd-OCT system (axial resolution: 4.5 mu m; acquisition speeds: 1000 A-scans/frame, 9 frames/second), constructed at the UC; Davis Medical Center, in conjunction with a handheld scanner, was used for retinal imaging. RESULTS Useful images were obtained from all selected patients. Image acquisition was possible in a conscious state in children as young as 3 years of age. All children tolerated the tests well. The most challenging situation for young children was the lack of an internal fixation target and the moving scanning line, which usually distracted them from a steady fixation. Despite these problems, image quality was comparable with scans previously obtained from an adult population. CONCLUSIONS The flexible handheld scanner in association with high acquisition speed and high-resolution Fd-OCT allows retinal imaging in infants and children. This technology provides high-resolution documentation of retinal structure in a pediatric population for the first time. (J AAPOS 2009;13:72-74)