Wide-field stabilized Doppler flowmetry with the tracking scanning laser ophthalmoscope (TSLO)

Abstract

Real time, high-speed image stabilization with a retinal tracking scanning laser ophthalmoscope (TSLO) enables new approaches to established diagnostics. Large dynamic range, wide-field stabilized Doppler flowmetry imaging was demonstrated in initial human subject testing with a large frequency range and up to 40 deg fields of view. The retinal tracking system uses a confocal reflectometer with a closed loop optical servo system to lock onto features in the ocular fundus. The fundus imaging method is a quasi-confocal line-scanning laser ophthalmoscope (LSLO). By locking to the retina and performing a slow scan of the laser line imager taking up to 30 seconds, frequency-resolved retinal perfusion and vascular flow images were obtained. The tracking system and auto-relock algorithms after blinks allowed the full image to be captured free of eye motion artifacts. Image cubes comprised of 512 by 512 spatial pixels by 512 or more temporal pixels were captured with a line rate of up to 20 kHz. The line sensor integrates, as opposed to conventional SLO flowmeters, thus minimizing aliasing that contributes to velocity errors. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) power spectra at each image pixel were computed. Image reconstruction accuracy was typically better than one pixel width. Doppler frequency resolution from 14 Hz to 3.675 kHz was demonstrated in this work. Pulsatile flow effects were observed. Normal adult subjects and patients were tested with or without mydriasis to characterize flow imaging performance.