Abstract Purpose: Optical coherence tomography is a well established imaging modality for the retina at 800 nm, but is limited in its capability to visualize through scattering tissue, like through cataract or into the choroid. Methods: Utilizing the lower scattering at longer wavelengths (1050 nm) high speed (>17 kHz), high axial resolution (~7 μm) optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrates its abil‐ity to exploit the three dimensional anatomic microstructure of the choroid. Volumetric images, obtained with spectrometer based frequency domain OCT system are presented and compared with their counterparts acquired at the commonly used 800 nm range. Results: Tomograms of normals and patients with pathologic morphological changes of the retinal structure as well as with cataract depict improved signal strength and image contrast at the longer wavelength. The deeper penetration allows reconstruction of the choroidal vascular structure despite strong scattering of superficial tissues at the retinal pigment epithelium, the choriocapillaris also including pathologic retinal thickening. Visualisation of modifications in the choroidal vascular structure associated with wet age related macu‐lar degeneration or diabetic retinopathy indicate the diagnostic potential of this technique. Furthermore, being well outside the spectral sensitivity of the eye the wavelength band at 1050 nm also allows for depth resolved profiling of reflectivity changes to directly moni‐tor light stimulus related retinal activity, without interference due to the sampling OCT beam. Conclusions: Imaging at 1050 nm enables not only to track morphological but also functional changes of the retina.