Comparison of thermal corneal lesions by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and polarization histology

Corneal thermal lesions as typically applied in laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK) were investigated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and polarization microscopy. Both methods were used to compare the lesions with respect to the extent and degree of thermal denaturation. The coagulations wee applied on enucleated porcine eyes using a continuously emitting laser diode at a wavelength of 1.86 μm. The self developed OCT-system has an axial and lateral resolution of 15-20μm and 26-48μm, respectively, and was used to perform cross sections through the lesions. After OCT on the intact globe, the sections were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. The sections were stained with sirius red and analyzed by polarization light microscopy. The comparison of the backscattered light of the OCT image with the changes in birefringence detected with the polarization microscopy technique found to be in good agreement. Up to four changes in birefringence detected with the polarization microscopy technique found to be in good agreement.Up to four different degrees of denaturation zones could be classified in both methods. OCT findings taken from a noninvasive method and correlated with histological experiences can be used to control the extent and degree of corneal lesions and monitor their healing response.