Morphological and qualitative evaluation of Schlemm's canal and collector channel using polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16944
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56060:Ophthalmology-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Ueno Yuta 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 講師 (90759317)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 光干渉断層計 / JM-OCT / 偏光 / 緑内障 / シュレム管

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The latest polarization sensitive anterior optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) was introduced to our facility and used to measure whole globe human eyes, normal volunteers, and glaucomatous eyes. The sclera site corresponding to the outer wall of Schlemm's canal (called BELL:the band of extracanalicular limbal lamina in the previous report) showed high birefringence and the trabecular meshwork showed low birefringence in the PS-OCT images. In other words, it was proved that the morphological evaluation of the aqueous humor outflow main pathway is possible by using PS-OCT. In addition, birefringence of BELL and trabecular meshwork was higher in glaucomatous eyes than in normal eyes, and it was possible to detect qualitative abnormalities, suggesting that it may be the cause of increased intraocular pressure.

Free Research Field

眼科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

偏光感受型前眼部光干渉断層計（偏光OCT）を用いることで、従来詳細な評価ができなかった生体における房水流出主経路（前房水の出口）について、非侵襲的に定量的・質的な評価が可能であると示された。房水流出主経路の障害は緑内障の発症、ひいては失明につながる。このため、偏光OCTを用いて障害部位を特定可能となった場合、安全かつ効率的な緑内障診療が可能になると思われ、社会的な意義は大きい。