OCT-C study plan

Draw and label the OCT signal path - light source, beamsplitter, reference arm, sample arm, detector - and explain how interference produces an A-scan

Build a comparison table of time-domain, spectral-domain, and swept-source OCT covering axial resolution, acquisition speed, and depth penetration

Calculate axial resolution for three example light sources given center wavelength and bandwidth, and state the trade-off each choice creates

Identify each common scan pattern (macular cube, raster, radial, circle, widefield) from a described acquisition and name one clinical indication for it

Rehearse the alignment and centration sequence on a model or volunteer eye, verbalizing the order of coarse focus, fine focus, centration, and polarization adjustment

Assemble a step-by-step protocol card for a macular cube, an optic nerve head circle scan, and an anterior segment scan, listing every operator input in sequence

Differentiate the five most common artifact families - motion, mirror/alias, segmentation failure, signal loss from blink or opacity, and vignetting - by their appearance on the B-scan and en face view

Prescribe the corrective action for each artifact family and predict which artifacts are correctable after capture versus which require re-acquisition

Diagnose centration, focus, and signal-strength failures from written scan descriptions and state the fix for each

Label all ten retinal layers from internal limiting membrane to Bruch membrane on ten separate B-scans without a reference key

Describe the vitreoretinal interface findings that define a normal posterior hyaloid versus a separated one, including premacular bursa and attachment at the optic nerve head

Trace the choroidal layers on enhanced-depth or swept-source images, distinguishing choriocapillaris, Sattler layer, and Haller layer by position and vessel caliber

Map the optic nerve head on OCT, identifying Bruch membrane opening, prelaminar tissue, lamina cribrosa, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer profile

Stage a full-thickness macular hole and differentiate it from a lamellar hole and a pseudohole using epiretinal membrane, foveal contour, and gap width criteria

Classify vitreomacular traction and epiretinal membrane by the presence, extent, and focal versus broad nature of attachment

Distinguish intraretinal fluid from subretinal fluid by location relative to the outer retinal bands and by the associated pathology each implies

Rank the OCT features of cystoid macular edema, including cyst distribution and bridging septae, and link them to a differential diagnosis

Characterize age-related macular degeneration on OCT, separating drusen, geographic atrophy, and macular neovascularization by their defining features

Identify diabetic macular edema patterns including sponge-like thickening, cystoid change, subretinal fluid, and disorganization of retinal inner layers

Recognize choroidal and vascular findings such as pachychoroid, central serous chorioretinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion on cross-sectional imaging

Contrast artifacts that mimic pathology - shadowing under vessels, mirror image, and segmentation drift - against the true lesions they resemble

Label corneal epithelium, Bowman layer, stroma, Descemet membrane, and endothelium on anterior segment OCT and identify the tear film reflection

Interpret epithelial thickness mapping patterns for keratoconus, dry eye, and post-refractive surgery states

Measure corneal pachymetry and flap or lenticule depth on anterior segment scans and state the normal expected values

Describe angle and iris imaging on anterior segment OCT and name the structures used to grade angle opening

Review choroidal and optic nerve head pathology, including choroidal nevus versus melanoma and peripapillary atrophy

State the light-exposure safety limits governing OCT scanning and the operator behaviors that keep exposure within them

Assemble the infection-control steps for contact and non-contact surfaces, probes, and chin rests between patients

Apply professional practice standards for patient identification, informed consent, documentation, and scope of practice in the imaging encounter

Run troubleshooting drills on written failure scenarios spanning signal dropout, inverted images, incorrect laterality, and software export errors

Complete two timed full-length mock examinations under exam conditions without notes or reference material

Categorize every missed item by domain and by error type - knowledge gap, misread stem, or image-pattern misrecognition

Re-study only the two weakest domains using the error log, then retest those domains in isolation

Recite the high-yield normal values and classification criteria for macular hole staging, corneal layers, and artifact correction from memory