If an artifact appears as dark lines streaking through a line scan vertically, where is it located relative to the retina?

If an artifact appears as dark lines streaking through a line scan vertically, where is it located relative to the retina?

• A. Posterior to retina
• B. Anterior to retina
• C. Temporally to retina
• D. Superior to retina

Answer: (B)

The light path in OCT goes from the front of the eye toward the retina and back. When an artifact shows up as dark vertical streaks along a line scan, it means something is blocking or attenuating the light before it reaches the retina. That places the artifact in front of the retina—anterior to it. If the artifact were behind the retina, you’d expect shadowing or variations related to structures after retinal reflection, not a clear vertical obstruction along the scan. So the artifact is located anterior to the retina.

The light path in OCT goes from the front of the eye toward the retina and back. When an artifact shows up as dark vertical streaks along a line scan, it means something is blocking or attenuating the light before it reaches the retina. That places the artifact in front of the retina—anterior to it. If the artifact were behind the retina, you’d expect shadowing or variations related to structures after retinal reflection, not a clear vertical obstruction along the scan. So the artifact is located anterior to the retina.