Abstract
The capabilities for retinal imaging have changed remarkably over the last 25 years. Twenty five years ago the primary technology for imaging the retina involved film based cameras using optical approaches from the 19th century. With the advent of the Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope and modern electro-optics technology imaging has expanded to encompass not only high-resolution imaging, but also functional imaging. The Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope introduced near infrared imaging and real-time control, OCT has enabled investigation of retinal structures with depth resolutions of a few microns, and with increasing speed. Adaptive Optics has enabled real time imaging with lateral resolutions on the order of 2 microns. This talk will summarize the enabling technologies leading to this increased capability, as well as introduce some of the methods that are currently being investigated to allow precise mapping of retinal structure and function. Examples of our ability to now provide high resolution mapping of photoreceptors, blood flow, vascular networks, and nerve fiber layers will be presented, as well as brief examples of dynamic imaging of visually driven changes to the retina.
Meeting abstract presented at OSA Fall Vision 2012