Visually Evoked Blood Flow Change in the Trilaminar Retinal Vasculature Using OCT Capillary Velocimetry

Here, we demonstrate the visual evoked blood flow change in trilaminar retinal vasculature in rodents using OCT capillary velocimetry. A custom-built spectral-domain optical coherence tomography operates on 800 nm region performed all the imaging. In-vivo measurements were conducted on dark-adapted Brown Norway rats. The retinal blood flow velocity was calculated using a modified dynamic light scattering (DLS) – OCT method. As a result, the blood flow velocity in arterioles, venules, and capillaries in the retinal vasculature can be resolved. Flicker stimulation triggered heterogeneous responses – reduced flow velocity in large vessels vs. increased flow velocity in capillaries.