High-Performance Virtual Reality Volume Rendering of Original Optical Coherence Tomography Point-Cloud Data Enhanced With Real-Time Ray Casting

• Published in: Translational vision science & technology Vol. 7; no. 4; p. 2
• Main Authors: Maloca, Peter M, de Carvalho, J. Emanuel Ramos, Heeren, Tjebo, Hasler, Pascal W, Mushtaq, Faisal, Mon-Williams, Mark, Scholl, Hendrik P.N., Balaskas, Konstantinos, Egan, Catherine, Tufail, Adnan, Witthauer, Lilian, Cattin, Philippe C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 01.07.2018
• Subjects: point cloud data; virtual reality; volume rendering; polygon; optical coherence tomography; ophthalmology; mesh; ray casting
• ISSN: 2164-2591; 2164-2591
• DOI: 10.1167/tvst.7.4.2

Feasibility testing of a novel volume renders technology to display optical coherence tomography data (OCT) in a virtual reality (VR) environment. A VR program was written in C++/OpenGL to import and display volumetric OCT data in real time with 180 frames per second using a high-end computer and a tethered head-mounted display. Following exposure, participants completed a Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) to assess for nausea, disorientation, and oculomotor disturbances. A user evaluation study of this software was conducted to explore the potential utility of this application. Fifty-seven subjects completed the user testing (34 males and 23 females). Mean age was 48.5 years (range, 21-77 years). Mean acquired work experience of the 35 ophthalmologists (61.40%) included in the group was 15.46 years (range, 1-37 years). Twenty-nine participants were VR-naïve. The SSQ showed a mean total score of 5.8 (SD = 9.44) indicating that the system was well tolerated and produced minimal side effects. No difference was reported between VR-naïve participants and experienced users. Overall, immersed subjects reported an enjoyable VR-OCT presence effect. A usable and satisfying VR imaging technique was developed to display and interact with original OCT data. An advanced high-end VR image display method was successfully developed to provide new views and interactions in an ultra high-speed projected digital scenery using point-cloud OCT data. This represents the next generation of OCT image display technology and a new tool for patient engagement, medical education, professional training, and telecommunications.