Development of Next-Generation Optical Coherence Tomography Systems for Enhancing Patient Accessibility to Ophthalmic Care

Abstract

Visual impairment (VI) is a global health issue that is estimated to affect 2.2 billion people worldwide and cost nearly $3 trillion USD per year. While prevalence varies across patient demographics, prevalence rates due to undiagnosed VI are significantly higher in elderly and low-income communities. Additionally, accessible screening methods are often ineffective due to inadequate technology or undetectable disease markers. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising technology that enables non-invasive 3D imaging of ophthalmic tissue and has been widely adopted in ophthalmology for its benefits over traditional diagnostic methods. However, OCT systems are bulky and expensive, which precludes their use in settings that require a portable or cost-effective device. This work aims to develop innovative technology that can reduce the size, cost and complexity of OCT systems to increase accessibility for patients in need. To this end, we first developed a compact handheld multimodal OCT probe for imaging bedridden patients that cannot be imaged on traditional benchtop systems. Next, we developed a low-cost OCT system that utilized a commercial smartphone for detection, processing and display of OCT data. The smartphone-integrated design reduces the number and cost of components in a standard OCT system that may help increase system adoption in resource-limited settings. Finally, a compact and low-cost computational spectrometer was developed to further reduce the cost and complexity of OCT systems. In summary, this thesis develops a foundation for next-generation OCT systems that can be used for screening and diagnosis of currently underserved populations.