In Vivo Imaging of Cortical Vitreous Using 1050-nm Swept-source Deep Range Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To image the cortical vitreous, determine the prevalence of the bursa premacularis and space of Martegiani, and measure the dimensions of the bursa using the new 1050-nm swept-source deep range imaging optical coherence tomography (DRI OCT-1 Atlantis).

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: One hundred and nineteen consecutive patients (5-100 years) underwent an OCT scan using 1050-nm swept-source deep range imaging optical coherence tomography. Prevalence of the bursa premacularis and space of Martegiani and the stage of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) were determined. The horizontal (width) and anteroposterior (depth) dimensions of the bursa were recorded along with the patient's age.

Results: A bursa was detected in 57.1% (136/238) of eyes. The bursa and space of Martegiani coexisted in 97.8% of eyes. Prevalence of detected bursa was 84.5% in eyes with either no PVD or perifoveal PVD only; the prevalence fell with further increases in the extent of PVD. Prevalence of detected bursa was 75.4% in patient group aged 0-60 years and 38% in the group aged 60-100 years. Mean width was 7001 μm (range: 3354-10 316 μm, SD: 1412 μm). Mean depth was 416 μm (range: 31-1189 μm, SD: 187 μm). Width and depth of the bursa did not correlate with age (R(2) width = 0.0316; R(2) depth = 0.0108). Bilateral bursa tended to be symmetrical in width but less so in depth (R(2) width = 0.63, P < .001; R(2) depth = 0.33, P < .001).

Conclusion: Swept-source OCT has allowed us to demonstrate the almost invariable coexistence of the bursa premacularis and space of Martegiani. Swept-source OCT can image both in patients from as early as the first to as late as the tenth decade of life.