Optical Coherence Tomography Applications in Parkinson's Disease
Summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has emerged as a vital non-invasive imaging modality for assessing retinal structure in Parkinson’s disease (PD). By enabling micrometre-scale cross-sectional visualisation of the retina, OCT permits quantification of specific layers that mirror central dopaminergic neurodegeneration. In PD, thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer and inner nuclear layer often accompanies loss of dopaminergic retinal cells, while alterations in the ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer reflect broader ganglion cell dysfunction. OCT angiography (OCTA) expands this capability by mapping microvascular perfusion, revealing vascular rarefaction and choroidal changes that may precede or parallel motor and non-motor symptoms. Collectively, OCT and OCTA promise accessible biomarkers for early detection, risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring in PD, with potential applications in both clinical practice and interventional trials.
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Optical Coherence Tomography Applications in Parkinson's Disease publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in optical coherence tomography applications in parkinson's disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A non-invasive imaging technique that captures high-resolution cross-sectional images of retinal layers using light interference.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA): An extension of OCT that visualises and quantifies retinal and choroidal microvascular flow without the need for dye injection.
Retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL): The innermost retinal layer composed of axons of retinal ganglion cells, whose thickness reflects axonal integrity.
Ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GCIPL): A combined layer housing ganglion cell bodies and their synaptic connections, sensitive to neurodegenerative cell loss.
Inner nuclear layer (INL): The retinal stratum containing bipolar, horizontal and amacrine cells, whose thinning may signal early dopaminergic neuron dysfunction.
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC): A type of neuron in the retina that conveys visual information to the brain via the optic nerve and is vulnerable in neurodegenerative disorders.
References
- Structural and functional changes in the retina in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (2023).
- Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Features Associated With Incident and Prevalent Parkinson Disease. Neurology (2023).
- Characterization of Retinal Microvascular and Choroidal Structural Changes in Parkinson Disease. JAMA Ophthalmology (2021).
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