Adaptive Optics Assisted cSLO

Development of a confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope assisted with Adaptive Optics for super-high-resolution retinal imaging.

Background

Adaptive optics is a technique used in astronomy to remove the distortion introduced by the atmosphere from telescope images. Applying this technique to the eye permits to remove the distortions introduced by the imperfect optics of the eye and hence obtain very high resolution images of the retina. In this project we are developing a confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (cSLO) assisted with adaptive optics to investigate retinal disease and visual function.

Progress

A novel optical architecture for coupling adaptive optics to a scanning laser ophthalmoscope has been proposed. The design of the instrument has minimised aberrations offering diffraction limited performance before reaching the patient's eye. This optical architecture has also resulted in a reduced number of optical elements hence reducing light losses throughout the system ensuring a maximum signal from the patient's retina.The figure below shows preliminary results without adaptive optics compensation and a large confocal aperture (left) and with adaptive optics compensation on and a small confocal aperture (right) at about 15 degrees of eccentricity nasally and upwards. The retinal patch shown is about 3 X 3 degrees. This correction was achieved with an OKO 19CH piezoelectric deformable mirror.

People

Steve Gruppetta
Joe Zhong
David Catlin
Luis Diaz-Santana

External Collaborators

Keith Martin, Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge.

Background Publications

• L. Diaz-Santana, G. Walker, and S. X. Bara, "Sampling geometries for ocular aberrometry: A model for evaluation of performance," Opt. Express 13, 8801-8818 (2005).
• L. Diaz-Santana,  C. Torti,  I. Munro,  P. Gasson, and C. Dainty, "Benefit of higher closed- loop bandwidths in ocular adaptive optics," Opt. Express 11, 2597-2605 (2003),