Application Detail

Status

Closed

Description of Medical Service

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact, non-invasive high resolution imaging technique that provides cross-sectional tomographic images of the ocular microstructure
through the thickness of the retina. It is analogous to ultrasound, measuring the back-reflection intensity of infrared light rather than sound.

An OCT image is a two-dimensional data set that represents differences in optical back-scattering or back-reflection in a cross-sectional plane. For the purpose of visualisation, OCT data are acquired by computer and displayed as a two-dimensional grey scale or false colour image. OCT images can be analysed qualitatively or quantitatively to detect retinal abnormalities. As a result of providing detailed information on the architectural morphology of the retina on the level of individual retinal layers, OCT has been proposed to detect early pathological changes, even before clinical signs or visual symptoms occur . OCT has been proposed as a new ‘gold standard’ structural test for retinal abnormalities.

Description of Medical Condition

The medical condition is central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common cause of visual loss, caused by an obstruction of the retinal venous system, most commonly involving occlusion of a branch retinal vein (BRVO) or the central retinal vein (CRVO) (Laouri et al 2011). Thrombus formation may be the primary cause of occlusion however other possible causes include external compression or disease of the vein wall e.g. vasculitis (Laouri et al 2011). Secondary to vein obstruction, retinal ischemia occurs and signals the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which in turn destabilizes the endothelial tight junctions and promotes endothelial cell proliferation. CRVO is classically characterised by macular oedema, increased dilation and tortuosity of all retinal veins, retinal oedema cotton wool spots, areas of capillary non-perfusion, widespread deep and superficial haemorrhages (Coscas et al 2011).

Reason for Application

-

Medical Service Type

-

Previous Application Number

Not Applicable

Associated Documentation

Application Form

-

PICO Confirmation

13 - 14 December 2012
Final Decision Analytic Protocol (DAP) (PDF 478 KB)
Final Decision Analytic Protocol (DAP) (Word 396 KB)

Assessment Report

-

Public Summary Document (PSD)

Public Summary Document - August 2013 (PDF 144 KB)
Public Summary Document - August 2013 (Word 96 KB)

OCT PSD - Assessment of investigative medical services for monitoring - July 2015 (PDF 535 KB)
OCT PSD - Assessment of investigative medical services for monitoring - July 2015 (Word 63 KB)

Meetings for this Application

PASC

16 - 17 August 2012
13 - 14 December 2012

ESC

13 - 14 June 2013

MSAC

1 August 2013