Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive imaging modality that can provide rich three-dimensional microvascular information of fundus in ophthalmic imaging. However, various imaging artifacts may be generated during OCTA data acquisition and processing, originating from a nu...

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Main Authors: Zhefan Lin, Yitao Hu, Gongpu Lan, Jingjiang Xu, Jia Qin, Lin An, Yanping Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Photonics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/6/536
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author Zhefan Lin
Yitao Hu
Gongpu Lan
Jingjiang Xu
Jia Qin
Lin An
Yanping Huang
author_facet Zhefan Lin
Yitao Hu
Gongpu Lan
Jingjiang Xu
Jia Qin
Lin An
Yanping Huang
author_sort Zhefan Lin
collection DOAJ
description Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive imaging modality that can provide rich three-dimensional microvascular information of fundus in ophthalmic imaging. However, various imaging artifacts may be generated during OCTA data acquisition and processing, originating from a number of factors such as multiple light scattering, tissue motion, improper device operation and signal processing algorithms. Artifacts can detrimentally affect the qualitative interpretation of clinical pathologies and quantitative evaluation of vasculature parameters. This article firstly introduces the OCTA acquisition process and sources of artifacts, and then describes four different categories of artifacts in detail, mainly including light propagation and signal intensity-related artifacts, tissue motion artifacts, improper operation artifacts, and signal processing-related artifacts. Corresponding methods for the identification and processing of these artifacts are also presented. Furthermore, this article also details some recent progress in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the identification and suppression of artifacts, showcasing its potential as a powerful tool in OCTA artifact processing. The development of artifact suppression techniques enables OCTA to reliably evaluate fundus diseases and monitor their progression. This development facilitates broader and deeper applications of OCTA in both research and clinics of ophthalmology.
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spelling doaj-art-2fdce7ffa020470d8af3e26d28848fd52025-08-20T02:21:50ZengMDPI AGPhotonics2304-67322025-05-0112653610.3390/photonics12060536Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)Zhefan Lin0Yitao Hu1Gongpu Lan2Jingjiang Xu3Jia Qin4Lin An5Yanping Huang6Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, ChinaGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, ChinaGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, ChinaGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, ChinaInnovation and Entrepreneurship Teams Project of Guangdong Provincial Pearl River Talents Program, Guangdong Weiren Meditech Co., Ltd., Foshan 528015, ChinaInnovation and Entrepreneurship Teams Project of Guangdong Provincial Pearl River Talents Program, Guangdong Weiren Meditech Co., Ltd., Foshan 528015, ChinaGuangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Intelligent Micro-Nano Optoelectronic Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, ChinaOptical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive imaging modality that can provide rich three-dimensional microvascular information of fundus in ophthalmic imaging. However, various imaging artifacts may be generated during OCTA data acquisition and processing, originating from a number of factors such as multiple light scattering, tissue motion, improper device operation and signal processing algorithms. Artifacts can detrimentally affect the qualitative interpretation of clinical pathologies and quantitative evaluation of vasculature parameters. This article firstly introduces the OCTA acquisition process and sources of artifacts, and then describes four different categories of artifacts in detail, mainly including light propagation and signal intensity-related artifacts, tissue motion artifacts, improper operation artifacts, and signal processing-related artifacts. Corresponding methods for the identification and processing of these artifacts are also presented. Furthermore, this article also details some recent progress in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the identification and suppression of artifacts, showcasing its potential as a powerful tool in OCTA artifact processing. The development of artifact suppression techniques enables OCTA to reliably evaluate fundus diseases and monitor their progression. This development facilitates broader and deeper applications of OCTA in both research and clinics of ophthalmology.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/6/536optical coherence tomography angiographyimage artifactartifact processingprojection artifactmotion artifact
spellingShingle Zhefan Lin
Yitao Hu
Gongpu Lan
Jingjiang Xu
Jia Qin
Lin An
Yanping Huang
Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
Photonics
optical coherence tomography angiography
image artifact
artifact processing
projection artifact
motion artifact
title Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
title_full Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
title_fullStr Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
title_full_unstemmed Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
title_short Review of Artifacts and Related Processing in Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA)
title_sort review of artifacts and related processing in ophthalmic optical coherence tomography angiography octa
topic optical coherence tomography angiography
image artifact
artifact processing
projection artifact
motion artifact
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/6/536
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