Purpose: We examine the interocular symmetry of foveal outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness measurements in subjects with achromatopsia (ACHM). Methods: Images from 76 subjects with CNGA3-or CNGB3-associated ACHM and 42 control subjects were included in the study. Line or volume scans through the fovea of each eye were acquired using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Image quality was assessed for each image included in the analysis using a previously-described maximum tissue contrast index (mTCI) metric. Three foveal ONL thickness measurements were made by a single observer and interocular symmetry was assessed using the average of the three measurements for each eye. Results: Mean (6 standard deviation) foveal ONL thickness for subjects with ACHM was 79.7 6 18.3 lm (right eye) and 79.2 6 18.7 lm (left eye) compared to 112.9 6 15.2 (right eye) and 112.1 6 13.9 lm (left eye) for controls. Foveal ONL thickness did not differ between eyes for ACHM (P ¼ 0.636) or control subjects (P ¼ 0.434). No significant relationship between mTCI and observer repeatability was observed for either control (P ¼ 0.140) or ACHM (P ¼ 0.351) images. Conclusions: While foveal ONL thickness is reduced in ACHM compared to controls, the high interocular symmetry indicates that contralateral ONL measurements could be used as a negative control in early-phase monocular treatment trials. Translational Relevance: Foveal ONL thickness can be measured using OCT images over a wide range of image quality. The interocular symmetry of foveal ONL thickness in ACHM and control populations supports the use of the non-study eye as a control for clinical trial purposes.

Purpose To test the hypothesis that foveal cone topography is symmetrical between contralateral eyes. Methods We used adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy to acquire images of the foveal cone mosaic in each eye of 58 subjects with normal vision (35 female, 23 male). Cones were semiautomatically identified over a 300 × 300-µm foveal area. From these cone coordinates, maps of cone density were derived, and we extracted estimates of peak cone density from each map. Mosaic regularity was assessed using Voronoi cell area regularity (VCAR). Average roundness and average area of the 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, and 90% of peak density isodensity contours were evaluated. Results The average peak cone density for right eyes was 180,286 cones/mm 2 ( n = 49) and for left eyes was 182,397 cones/mm 2 ( n = 45), with a mean absolute difference of 6363 cones/mm 2 ( n = 43). Peak density, cone spacing, VCAR, and average area within the isodensity contours of fellow eyes were not significantly different ( P = 0.60, P = 0.83, P = 0.30, and P = 0.39, respectively). However, the average roundness of the isodensity contours was 2% more circular in the right eyes than in the left eyes ( P = 0.02). Conclusions There is interocular symmetry of peak foveal cone density, mosaic regularity, and area encompassing the most densely packed cells in subjects with normal vision. The origin and significance of the observed interocular difference in average roundness of the isodensity contours are unclear.

The foveal cone mosaic can be directly visualized using adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). Previous studies in individuals with normal vision report wide variability in the topography of the foveal cone mosaic, especially the value of peak cone density (PCD). While these studies often involve a human grader, there have been no studies examining intergrader reproducibility of foveal cone mosaic metrics. Here we re-analyzed published AOSLO foveal cone images from 44 individuals to assess the relationship between the cone density centroid (CDC) location and the location of PCD. Across 5 graders with variable experience, we found a measurement error of 11.7% in PCD estimates and higher intergrader reproducibility of CDC location compared to PCD location (p < 0.0001). These estimates of measurement error can be used in future studies of the foveal cone mosaic, and our results support use of the CDC location as a more reproducible anchor for cross-modality analyses.

In vivo images of human cone photoreceptors have been shown to vary in their reflectance both spatially and temporally. While it is generally accepted that the unique anatomy and physiology of the photoreceptors themselves drives this behavior, the exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated as most studies on these phenomena have been limited to the human retina. Unlike humans, animal models offer the ability to experimentally manipulate the retina and perform direct in vivo and ex vivo comparisons. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel and northern tree shrew are two emerging animal models being used in vision research. Both models feature cone-dominant retinas, overcoming a key limitation of traditional rodent models. Additionally, each possesses unique but well-documented anatomical differences in cone structure compared to human cones, which can be leveraged to further constrain theoretical models of light propagation within photoreceptors. Here we sought to characterize the spatial and temporal reflectance behavior of cones in these species. Adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) was used to non-invasively image the photoreceptors of both species at 5 to 10 min intervals over the span of 18 to 25 min. The reflectance of individual cone photoreceptors was measured over time, and images at individual time points were used to assess the variability of cone reflectance across the cone mosaic. Variability in spatial and temporal photoreceptor reflectance was observed in both species, with similar behavior to that seen in human AOSLO images. Despite the unique cone structure in these animals, these data suggest a common origin of photoreceptor reflectance behavior across species. Such data may help constrain models of the cellular origins of photoreceptor reflectance signals. These animal models provide an experimental platform to further explore the morphological origins of light capture and propagation.

To mitigate the substantial post-processing burden associated with adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), we have developed an open-source, automated AOSLO image processing pipeline with both “live” and “full” modes. The live mode provides feedback during acquisition, while the full mode is intended to automatically integrate the copious disparate modules currently used in generating analyzable montages. The mean (±SD) lag between initiation and montage placement for the live pipeline was 54.6 ± 32.7s. The full pipeline reduced overall human operator time by 54.9 ± 28.4%, with no significant difference in resultant cone density metrics. The reduced overhead decreases both the technical burden and operating cost of AOSLO imaging, increasing overall clinical accessibility.

To assess the performance of two spectral-domain optical coherence tomography-angiography systems in a natural model of hypoperfusion: the hibernating thirteen-lined ground squirrel (13-LGS).Methods: Using a high-speed (130 kHz) OCT-A system (HS-OCT-A) and a commercial OCT (36 kHz; Bioptigen Envisu; BE-OCT-A), we imaged the 13-LGS retina throughout its hibernation cycle. Custom software was used to extract the superior, middle, and deep capillary plexus (SCP, MCP, and DCP, respectively). The retinal vasculature was also imaged with adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) during torpor to visualize individual blood cells. Finally, correlative histology with immunolabeled or DiIstained vasculature was performed.Results: During euthermia, vessel density was similar between devices for the SCP and MCP (P = 0.88, 0.72, respectively), with a small difference in the DCP (−1.63 ± 1.54%, P = 0.036). Apparent capillary dropout was observed during torpor, but recovered after forced arousal, and this effect was exaggerated in high-speed OCT-A imaging. Based on cell flux measurements with AOSLO, increasing OCT-A scan duration by ∼1000× would avoid the apparent capillary dropout artifact. High correspondence between OCT-A (during euthermia) and histology enabled lateral scale calibration. Conclusions:While the HS-OCT-A system provides a more efficient workflow, the shorter interscan interval may render it more susceptible to the apparent capillary dropout artifact. Disambiguation between capillary dropout and transient ischemia can have important implications in the management of retinal disease and warrants additional diagnostics.Translational Relevance: The 13-LGS provides a natural model of hypoperfusion that may prove valuable in modeling the utility of OCT-A in human pathologies associated with altered blood flow.

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Quantification of the rod photoreceptor mosaic using adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) remains challenging. Here we demonstrate a method for deriving estimates of rod density and rod:cone ratio based on measures of rod spacing, cone numerosity, and cone inner segment area. Twenty-two AOSLO images with complete rod visualization were used to validate this spacing-derived method for estimating density. The method was then used to estimate rod metrics in an additional 105 images without complete rod visualization. The spacing-derived rod mosaic metrics were comparable to published data from histology. This method could be leveraged to develop large normative databases of rod mosaic metrics, though limitations persist with intergrader variability in assessing cone area and numerosity.