Wide field imaging of the retina using a new slit scan ophthalmoscope (SSO) imager

Abstract

Purpose : To demonstrate the value of a new technique for obtaining wide field images of the fundus with a larger field of view in comparison to standard fundus cameras.

Methods : A total of 34 eyes including different retinal pathologies were imaged with a custom prototype slit scan ophthalmoscope fundus imaging system (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany) as well as a standard fundus camera (SFC). Several characteristics that typically degrade wide field fundus images were present including cataract and small pupils. The percentage of unassessable images were compared for the two techniques. A reader graded each pair of images as being similar in quality, SSO much better, SSO better, SFC much better, or SFC better.

Results : Retinal pathologies included (n = 2 glaucoma, n = 3 AMD, n = 6 occlusive disorders, n = 11 diabetic retinopathy, n = 1 tumor, n = 3 other maculopathies, n = 8 healthy retina). Images were assessable in 97.1% of SSO- and 82.4% of standard fundus images. Unassessable images resulted from dense cataracts and small pupil sizes. Reading results were as follows: 23.5% SSO much better, 47.1% SSO better, 26.5% being similar in quality, 2.9% SFC 500 better, 0.0% SFC much better.

Conclusions : SSO allows wide field imaging of the fundus of the eye with a higher success rate in difficult situations and acquires images with improved quality.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.

 

54 years, male, dilated: high myopia -20dpt, choroidal neovascularisation - SFC image

 

54 years, male, dilated: high myopia -20dpt, choroidal neovascularisation - SSO image