The differences between OCT in cardiology and ophthalmology are listed in the chart.  From a technology standpoint, they are different technologies.  In cardiology, OCT operates at a different wavelength and has the major challenge of imaging through a catheter.  There are no known morbidity benefits proven in ophthalmology (ex: improves vision above current technologies).  Intravascular imaging has benefits both in morbidity and mortality, and has a much higher impact being the leading cause of death worldwide.  In the eye, it was a series of incremental advances from 1981, most generated in fiber optic telecommunication and then applied to transparent eye without a clear need.  In cardiology, a need existed for a technology with better than 20 µm resolution for identifying high risk plaques and guiding intracoronary procedures.   Modified OC system was postulated to work.  Cardiology was about going after an unmet need while the eye was about applying a fiber optic telecommunication device to the only transparent tissue of the body.

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