A Method for Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Retina in Human Eyes

Abstract

An optical system for three-dimensional imaging of the retinal tissue in human eyes is described. A laser beam was projected at an oblique angle on the retina and scanned to acquire 40 optical section images in a 1.0 x 1.5 mm retinal area. Because the incident laser beam was not coaxial with the viewing system, structures at various retinal depths appeared laterally displaced according to their depth location on the optical section image. The optical section images were segmented to construct a series of en face retinal images, parallel to the retinal surface and displaced in depth. Imaging was performed in three control subjects. A series of 8 depth-displaced en face images of retinal layers was reconstructed in each eye, which allowed enhanced visualization of the retinal structures and vasculatures. En face depth-displaced retinal images provided improved contrast compared with fundus images and delineated the foveal depression and the surrounding retinal vasculatures. An optical system for three-dimensional retinal imaging was developed that has potential as a tool for evaluation of retinal pathologies associated with chorioretinal diseases.