Design and Simulation of an Ultra-Wide Field Optical Coherence Tomography Retinal Imaging System

Shanshan Liang,Jun Zhang,Jiahui Wang,Mingming Wan,Jiajing Kang,Xinyu Li

doi:10.3390/photonics8110476

Abstract

Peripheral retinal imaging is a unique approach for assessing and monitoring ocular diseases. In this paper, we proposed a design for an optical coherence tomography system to accomplish ultrawide field (>120°) retinal imaging without montages. Scanning of the sample arm was achieved via two ellipsoidal mirrors. The optical design software Zemax and an eye model were used to estimate the inherent aberrations in the system and the optical performance of retinal imaging. Simulation results of the aberrations in the designed system indicated that the designed system can achieve an unprecedented imaging field of view (FOV) while maintaining acceptable resolution without sacrificing the working distance. This work suggests that ultrawide field optical coherence tomography retinal imaging is achievable, which is highly important for the diagnosis and treatment of ocular—especially peripheral—retinopathy.

Highlights

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a biomedical optical imaging technology developed in the 1990s [1]
OCT imaging technology has been widely used in ophthalmology, it is used mainly to visualize the central area of the retina and rarely used to visualize the peripheral area of the retina
We proposed a design of an OCT system the sample arm)optical based design on two ellipsoidal mirrors and carried outan a simulation optical design software

Summary

Introduction

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a biomedical optical imaging technology developed in the 1990s [1]. Due to the transparency of the eye, ophthalmological applications, especially retinal imaging, were the earliest but are the most successful clinical applications [2]. OCT imaging technology has been widely used in ophthalmology, it is used mainly to visualize the central area of the retina and rarely used to visualize the peripheral area of the retina. Many vision-threatening pathologies, including retinal tears, holes, detachments, etc., occur in the peripheral retina [3], and the development of some central ocular diseases (such as diabetic retinopathy) is closely related to the state of the peripheral retina [4]. Only a few existing OCT techniques can successfully achieve highquality imaging of the peripheral retina.

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Conclusion