Because of its limited depth of penetration, UBM's main use within ophthalmology has been to visualize anterior structures such as the angle and ciliary body.

Unlike UBM, OCT biomicroscopy can image tissues with high axial resolution as far posteriorly as the choroid (Figure 1).

This requirement that the operator be knowledgeable also means that slit lamp exams must be conducted by trained and experienced personnel - a feature that increases the cost and decreases the number of examiners qualified to perform them.

Without any objective documentation of the examination findings from that specific visit, it can be difficult to determine in retrospect which assessment was correct.

[citation needed] Like slit lamps, OCT imaging devices provide magnified, cross-sectional views of transparent tissues in the eye.

Unlike slit lamps, OCT devices store tomographic images that can be 1) acquired consistently using the same protocol at each patient visit in every location around the world, 2) operated by less expensive personnel with less training and experience than a slit lamp, 3) objectively and quantitatively analyzed by the user and/or computer software, and 4) retrospectively or longitudinally assessed in both clinical trials and in clinical practice.

It is now feasible that properly designed SS-OCT systems could acquire full OCT biomicroscopic data from both eyes of a subject in less than 20 seconds.

High speed SS-OCT systems focused on the anterior segment have been demonstrated to be capable of imaging the bulbar conjunctiva within the palpebral fissure.

In addition to recent work with SS-OCT, (see Gora et al.) numerous investigators have demonstrated the ability of OCT systems to depict pathology within the cornea[4][5][6] as well as disorders of corneal topography.