Full-range, high-speed, high-resolution 1 microm spectral-domain optical coherence tomography using BM-scan for volumetric imaging of the human posterior eye.
An alternative optical coherence tomography (OCT) to clinical ophthalmic 830 nm spectral-domain OCTs (SD-OCT) is demonstrated. An axial resolution of 7.4 microm, ranging depth of 4.2 mm in tissue, sensitivity of 98.5 dB, and detection speed of 38,300 axial scans/s have been achieved. These are comparable or superior to those of recently commercially available ophthalmic 830 nm SD-OCTs in clinics. In addition, fast volumetric imaging for the in vivo human posterior eye with high-contrast of the choroid is achieved. A broadband 1.04 microm light source enables the high-contrast and high resolution imaging of the retina and choroid. The ranging depth is extended by applying a full-range imaging method with an electro-optic modulator (BM-scan method). A prototype high-speed InGaAs line scan camera with 1024 pixels is used. A newly reported sensitivity improvement property of the BM-scan method demonstrates a sensitivity enhancement of 5.1 dB. We also introduce a newly developed resampling calibration method of spectrum that is independent of the intrinsic dispersion mismatch of the interferometer. The three-dimensional structure of the in vivo human optic nerve head with a very deep cupping is successfully visualized.
Computational Optics Group in the University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 3058573, Japan. makita@optlab2.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp
Shuichi
S
Makita
Tapio
T
Fabritius
Yoshiaki
Y
Yasuno
D002829:Choroid / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*; D042261:Retinoscopes; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation*