Researchers are constantly uncovering new ways to employ imaging technologies—such as enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT)—for eye care. New research published in the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology shows that EDI-OCT can detect optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) in most eyes and has the potential to be a first-line diagnostic tool, particularly for detecting buried drusen in children.

The UK-based research team looked into 28 eyes of 15 pediatric patients who had ONHD confirmed by B-scan ultrasound. They used four other imaging technologies to hunt for the same diagnosis. OCT uncovered 21 cases, fundus autofluorescence identified 18 and automated perimetry found four. But EDI-OCT found 24 cases (86%). This was similar to results previously reported in adult patients, the researchers explained. Additionally, EDI-OCT detected ONHD at different levels of depth—but mostly anterior to the lamina cribrosa.

On EDI-OCT, ONHD appears as hyporeflective ovoid regions bordered by hyperreflective material, or as isolated hyperreflective bands without a hyporeflective core.