Analysis of Purkinje images as an effective method for estimation of intraocular lens implant location in the eyeball

Abstract

The implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) into a capsular bag in place of an extracted natural, but nontransparent lens is a standard therapy method in the case of cataract. Any decentration or tilt of the IOL can cause a deterioration of the retinal image quality, thus decreasing the vision quality. The analysis of the relative position of Purkinje images being a reflection of the point light source from the refracting surfaces of the eyeball determines the location of IOL inside the eye and thus enables to state its wrong or correct location. The paper describes the Purkinje experimental setup consisting of an illuminator (several infrared LEDs arranged in a circle), an imaging telecentric lens and image recording CCD camera and reports details of the system calibration The usefulness of the experimental setup has been proven both in laboratory conditions using artificial model of the eyeball and in measurements on human subjects. Simulations of the retinal image with different decentrations or tilts are shown.