<title>Imaging the primate retina using polarization-sensitve optical coherence tomography</title>

Abstract

We report results of a study using polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) to measure physical properties of the retina and to create images of retinal microstructure. Our instrument incorporates a mode-locked Ti:Al 2 O 3 laser and achromatic polarization optics to record high resolution images. High-resolution B scans (two-dimensional images) of the in-vivo rhesus monkey retina have been recorded in the optic disk, peripapillary area and macula. Images of the peripapillary area allow measurement of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and calculation of the Stokes parameters of light back-scattered from the retina. Results of our study indicate: 1) PSOCT may be utilized to measure RNFL thickness; 2) PSOCT may be used to measure areas of birefringent tissue in the retina; and 3) selection of a scan pattern surrounding the optic nerve should account for the relatively large radial RNFL thickness gradient. Moreover, since glaucoma manifests in a destruction of the RNFL, PSOCT may be useful as a screening and diagnostic modality.