Maximum value projection produces better en face OCT angiograms than mean value projection

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images rely on en face data projections for both qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Both maximum value and mean value projections are commonly used, and many researchers consider them essentially interchangeable approaches. On the contrary, we find that maximum value projection achieves a consistently higher signal-to-noise ratio and higher image contrast across multiple vascular layers, in both healthy eyes and for each disease examined.