title: Light path-length distributions within the retina.
abstract: A Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation through the retina has been developed to understand the path-length distributions within the retinal vessel. For full-field illumination, the path-length distribution within the vessel comprises directly backscattered light and light that has passed once or twice through the vessel. The origins of these light path-length distributions can be better understood by investigating different combinations of single-point illumination and detection positions. Perhaps the most significant observation is that illumination at the edges of the vessel, rather than over the whole field of view, and detection directly above the vessel capture only the light that has taken a single pass through the vessel. This path-length distribution is tightly constrained around the diameter of the vessel and can potentially provide enhancements for oxygen saturation imaging. The method could be practically implemented using an offset-pinhole confocal imaging system or structured light illumination.
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham, Faculty of Engineering, Division of Electrical Systems and Optics Research, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Rodmell
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham, Faculty of Engineering, Division of Electrical Systems and Optics Research, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.affiliation: University of Glasgow, School of Physics and Astronomy, Kelvin Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.affiliation: University of Glasgow, School of Physics and Astronomy, Kelvin Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Heriot-Watt University, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muyo
authors.affiliation: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Eye Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Cheltenham GL53 7AN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mordant
authors.affiliation: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Eye Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Cheltenham GL53 7AN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andy I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: McNaught
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham, Faculty of Engineering, Division of Electrical Systems and Optics Research, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010092:Oximetry; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000502:physiology