Standardizing OCT Scans Across Multi-Site Clinical Trials

In multi-site clinical trials, eye imaging such as OCT (optical coherence tomography) does more than monitor safety. It often decides who can enroll. One analysis of 87 retina trials found that nearly half of screen failures came from patients not meeting imaging criteria, so inconsistent scans can affect both eligibility and endpoint data. Sponsors typically choose among three ways to deliver OCT across sites: training site staff, relying on a site’s own imaging department, or bringing in a specialized ophthalmic partner. The right choice depends on what each site’s staff, equipment, and patient volume can support.

Whichever model a site uses, three controls keep scans comparable: matched devices and software, technicians certified to the study protocol, and early alignment with the reading center. Fundus photography (color images of the retina) follows the same rules. A set of practical questions helps teams vet any provider before assigning imaging work. Build an imaging plan that keeps every scan at every site consistent, protecting both enrollment decisions and the integrity of your trial data.