D-Oct to determine your (eye) health

Mrs. Thompson, an 80-year-old woman has been suffering from glaucoma for the past 10 years. This condition has gradually taken away her vision, greatly affecting her daily life. Her ophthalmologist has been closely monitoring her condition by assessing her intraocular pressure and visual field. However, these measurements alone do not provide the complete picture, particularly when it comes to the blood flow to the optic nerve, which can be essential for the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Recently, Mrs. Thompson's ophthalmologist told her about an exciting new technique called three beam Doppler optical coherence tomography (D-OCT). This technique has the potential to revolutionize the way we understand and address glaucoma and other eye diseases. By measuring the total retinal blood flow without needing prior information about vessel geometry, D-OCT offers a precise determination of the blood flow vector, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms behind these conditions.

Mrs. Thompson was thrilled to learn about this new technique and eagerly agreed to undergo the test. The best part? It was painless and non-invasive, taking only a few minutes to complete. The results revealed that her total retinal blood flow was lower than normal, indicating a decrease in blood flow to her optic nerve. This crucial information allowed her ophthalmologist to adjust her treatment plan and closely monitor her condition. 

I'm Richard Haindl, and I have been working on the fascinating D-OCT technique that provides essential information about optic nerve blood flow during my PhD. With this technique, we shine a special type of light into the eye, which interacts with the blood cells and creates a detailed image of the blood vessels. By utilizing three beams of light, we can precisely measure the blood flow in the eye, including the velocity vector of the blood cells. 

As a medical physicist like me, you play a vital role in advancing healthcare through the development of innovative technologies and techniques. By embarking on this exciting journey, you can make a difference in the lives of patients and contribute to the field in a meaningful way. The PhD program in medical physics offers you the chance to be at the forefront of scientific discovery, work with cutting-edge technology and develop new techniques that can revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases, benefiting millions of people and our loved ones, like Mrs. Thompson.