[Clinical applications and future perspectives of ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography in ophthalmology].

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive, depth-resolved imaging modality that visualizes ocular microvascular networks based on blood flow-related motion contrast, without exogenous contrast agents. Owing to its ability to provide high-resolution, layer-specific vascular information, OCTA has become an indispensable tool in both clinical practice and ophthalmic research. The advent of swept-source OCTA (SS-OCTA), characterized by longer imaging wavelengths and faster scanning speeds, has enabled wider fields of view and deeper tissue penetration. These technical advances have driven the development of ultra-widefield SS-OCTA (UWF SS-OCTA), substantially enhancing visualization of the peripheral retina and anterior segment vasculature. This review outlines the fundamental principles and technological evolution of OCTA, with particular emphasis on recent progress in the clinical applications of UWF SS-OCTA across a spectrum of ophthalmic diseases. In addition, we discuss emerging opportunities for integrating artificial intelligence-based algorithms with UWF SS-OCTA to facilitate quantitative vascular analysis, disease assessment, and precision-oriented diagnosis and management.