title: Mueller matrix retinal imager with optimized polarization conditions.
abstract: A new Mueller matrix polarimeter was used to image the retinas of normal subjects. Light from a linearly polarized 780 nm laser was passed through a system of variable retarders and scanned across the retina. Light returned from the eye passed through a second system of retarders and a polarizing beamsplitter to two confocal detection channels. Optimization of the polarimetric data reduction matrix was via a condition number metric. The accuracy and repeatability of polarization parameter measurements were within +/- 5%. The magnitudes and orientations of retardance and diattenuation, plus depolarization, were measured over 15 degrees of retina for 15 normal eyes.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences, 1630 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. karen.twietmeyer@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Twietmeyer
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Chipman
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Elsner
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: VanNasdale
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002138:Calibration; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014785:Vision, Ocular