Understanding the Basics of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Abstract

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an important ophthalmic technology for measurement of the eye from the fundus to anterior segment. However, among non-experts, the basis of OCT measurement of cross-sectional images is not widely known. It is also difficult to understand the difference between the time domain and Fourier domain, and why particular wavelength bands are used in ophthalmic OCT. An understanding of these issues requires some appreciation of the fundamental principles and technology of OCT. Here, these principles are briefly explained.