Imaging and Measurement in the Eye

Abstract

Nearly all the eye's structures, from the retina at the back of the eye to the tear film at the front, can now be imaged and measured in vivo with outstanding resolution and precision. Imaging and measurement of the eye is fundamental to both research and clinical practice in optometry, and the technologies to do this have mushroomed exponentially in recent decades. The capabilities of these current imaging technologies are most impressive, allowing the visualization of the fine structure of the eye that was not conceivable 20 years ago. From the observation of corneal nerve fibers and epithelial cells and the three-dimensional visualization of the retina and optic nerve head to the imaging of individual photoreceptor cells, these remarkable advances in our ability to image and measure the eye have changed the way optometry is practiced clinically and have led to numerous important scientific discoveries. As these advanced imaging methods continue to develop, the potential for imaging ocular structures down to the cellular level in everyday clinical practice has become a reality, and the potential to improve patient care is truly stunning.