Objective:
To provide an overview on interpreting OCT RNFL reports to avoid misdiagnosis and undertreatment or overtreatment of glaucoma specifically due to artifacts.
Key Findings:
- 46% of OCT RNFL scans may contain at least one artifact, as found in a study of over 2,000 scans.
- Artifacts can lead to misdiagnosis, including false positives ('red disease').
- Different OCT platforms yield non-interchangeable RNFL thickness values.
Interpretation:
Clinicians must carefully assess OCT RNFL quality and data points to avoid diagnostic errors, ensuring that OCT findings correlate with clinical evaluations and the overall clinical picture.
Limitations:
- Artifacts may arise from operator error, such as incorrect scan positioning, or patient movement, like blinking or head movement.
- Comparing data across different OCT devices can lead to inaccuracies.
Conclusion:
Thorough training of staff, including specific methods for reviewing OCT data, is essential to minimize the impact of artifacts on glaucoma diagnosis and management.
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