[OCT in age-related macular degeneration. Findings, usage in clinical routine, and assessment of treatment outcome].

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) represents a fast and noninvasive examination technique that generates two-dimensional sections of the posterior pole in vivo. Although this method is now widely applied in the diagnosis of various heterogeneous macular diseases, its role in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is less well established. OCT allows for quantitative as well as qualitative assessment of various AMD phenotypes. Qualitative assessment comprises the evaluation of intra- or subretinal fluid, intraretinal cystoid spaces, and retinal pigment epithelial detachments. However, together with the clinical findings and fluorescence angiography, it can provide useful additional information including monitoring of treatment effects.