title: Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances.
abstract: We describe basic principles of wavelength-tuning interferometry and demonstrate its application in ophthalmology. The advantage of this technique compared with conventional low-coherence interferometry ranging is the simultaneous measurement of the object structure without the need for a moving reference mirror. Shifting the wavelength of an external-cavity tunable laser diode causes intensity oscillations in the interference pattern of light beams remitted from the intraocular structure. A Fourier transform of the corresponding wave-number-dependent photodetector signal yields the distribution of the scattering potential along the light beam illuminating the eye. We use an external interferometer to linearize the wave-number axis. We obtain high resolution in a model eye by slow tuning over a wide wavelength range. With lower resolution we demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of anterior segment length, vitreous chamber depth, and axial eye length in human eyes in vivo with data-acquisition times in the millisecond range.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lexer
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hitzenberger
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fercher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kulhavy