(PDF 274 KB) Since the advent of spectral-domain optical
coherence tomography (SD-OCT), ophthalmologists have been able
to visualize the eye and its disorders in amazing three-
dimensional images generated at a speed and resolution not
possible with time-domain OCT. The SD-OCT images create a
virtual biopsy of the eye, providing details of pathology that
help ophthalmologists—particularly retina specialists—improve
diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of eye disease. Even this
welcome development has had a limit, however: Because of
positioning and cooperation requirements, tabletop SD-OCT
systems are not useful for capturing the eyes of three sorts of
patients: squirmy kids, flailing babies and prone patients
undergoing surgery. But the creation of a portable OCT probe has
now made it possible to image neonates and young children
without using anesthesia, and perhaps even enhance
intraoperative visualization to the extent that surgical
outcomes are improved. Pediatrics: Wee, Wide-Awake Eyes Handheld
SD-OCT sys