Utilities of optical coherence tomography in retinoblastoma

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging tool, significantly enhances retinoblastoma’s diagnosis, management, and follow-up, the most common pediatric intraocular malignancy. Retinoblastoma is often diagnosed in advanced stages when the tumor occupies substantial intraocular space, presenting with leukocoria, strabismus, proptosis, or ocular inflammation – conditions that can compromise globe preservation and patient survival. For decades, indirect ophthalmoscopy and retinal photography have been standard practice in retinoblastoma management. However, these methods have limitations in detecting submillimeter tumors and determining tumor activity for targeted treatment. OCT has proven valuable in detecting subtle tumor features, enabling earlier intervention, improving prognosis, enhancing eyeball preservation rates, and maintaining vision.