Differentiation of anterior chamber pigment and inflammatory cells using swept-source optical coherence tomography: a cross-sectional study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the potential of anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) in differentiating anterior chamber (AC) pigment and inflammatory cells. SUBJECT/METHODS: Cross-sectional study of adults with uveitis. The exclusion criterion was corneal opacity sufficient to obscure slit lamp examination of the anterior chamber. Reference testing comprised slit lamp-based detection of pigment and Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) grading of intraocular inflammation. Index testing comprised CASIA2 swept-source AS-OCT acquisition, with semi-automated analysis to detect and measure hyper-reflective particles within the AC. Correlations between AS-OCT-derived counts of different-sized particles and clinical grades were explored using multilevel multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: 62 eyes (31 patients) were included. There was a positive correlation between AS-OCT particle counts of >4 pixels (equivalent to >24microns), and SUN grading (adjusted coefficient, adjCoef 24.3, 95% confidence interval 6.3 to 42.3, p = 0.03), strengthened in eyes clinically absent of pigment (adjCoef 20.6, 14.8 to 26.4, p < 0.001). A positive correlation was also noted between particle counts ≤2 pixels and the presence of AC pigment clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Swept-source (SS) AS-OCT holds potential utility in differentiating between pigment and cells within the AC, leading to improved management of individuals with or at risk of intraocular inflammation. SS AS-OCT-derived biomarkers may also provide information on uveitis aetiology, supporting the diagnosis of underlying conditions. Further work on a larger cohort, replication by other investigators and clinical teams, and clinical correlation with anterior chamber sampling will enable future clinical validation.
Source: Eye
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,590
Awards: G275414613, CHOIR (childhood ocular inflammatory disease research): improving the understanding and management of sight threatening childhood onset ocular inflammation, Characterising Immune Cell Function in the Retina with Advanced Imaging, Developing imaging based and patient reported disease metrics to stratify childhood inflammatory eye disease: Childhood Uveitis Signs and Symptoms Study (ChUSS)
OpenAlex ID: W4408343777