Abstract
Purpose:
To demonstrate the performance of OCT system utilizing tunable lens technology for in vivo high-speed simultaneous anterior segment and retinal imaging of the eye. To develop simple interface capable of dynamic control of the optical beam focus.
Methods:
A high speed high resolution Fourier-domain OCT instrument operating at 840 nm was developed. An interface of the system was equipped with electrically tunable lens that enabled consecutive focusing of the light beam on anterior segment or the retina. This novel approach allowed for coupling both imaging modes in a simple system without removal of any optical components. OCT imaging was performed on five eyes (5 subjects, mean age 26.2±2.8). Later on, the OCT volumetric data sets were corrected for light refraction distortions to generate images with true shapes of ocular structures.
Results:
We characterized the system to optimize its performance parameters. We obtained volumetric OCT tomograms of the anterior segment of the eye and the retina for 3-D visualization of the eye at an imaging speed up to 100,000 axial scans per second and with total imaging depth of 2x5 mm. Comprehensive large scale volumetric data sets (100x250x2048 voxels) containing both anterior segment and retinal structures enabled true reconstruction of the ocular shape. The data provided also access to quantitative description of the eye.
Conclusions:
Application of tunable lens technology and its integration with OCT instrument enable automatic compensation of the ocular optics and provide ability to image both parts of the eye simultaneously. This approach enhances functionality of OCT devices and can simplify examination schemes.