Optical beam scanner with reconfigurable non-mechanical control of beam position, angle, and focus for low-cost whole-eye OCT imaging

Nov 21, 2023

A team of researchers has developed a new optical scanner system that allows high-quality images of the entire eye to be obtained economically and without the need for expensive mechanical components. This innovative technology, published in the journal Biomedical Optics Express, has the potential to increase the accessibility of diagnosis and surgical planning oculars, as well as expanding its use in various ophthalmic applications.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive technique that provides detailed images of the ocular structure. In it, infrared light is emitted, part of which bounces off the different sections of the eye, providing information on its internal structure. However, conventional OCT systems are designed to scan only either the anterior or posterior segment of the eye, which limits their versatility and requires the purchase of multiple expensive equipment. The new optical scanner developed by this team of researchers allows obtaining images of both ocular segments without the need to change or add optical components.
Various internal photos of the eye in which the parts made with the different methods are boxed, so that it can be seen that some are less blurry than others
Overlay of scans of the model eye obtained with the proposed beam scanner and the standard telecentric galvanometric scanner with which it is compared. Boxed areas represent whole-eye scans obtained with the proposed beam scanner, in green and yellow for the anterior and posterior segment scan configurations, respectively. (a) Examination of the entire eye. (b) Close-up of the anterior segment. (c) Magnified image of the posterior segment, where only the image in the yellow box is free of artifacts. (d) The scanned area is located at the edge of the model optic nerve. / Biomedical Optics Express
The scanner does not use moving parts and bases its operation on the use of three electro-adjustable lenses. These lenses are capable of controlling the position, angle and focus of the light beam without moving, allowing alternative images of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye to be obtained. This flexibility in focus adjustment and scan settings improves image quality and significantly reduces costs compared to conventional systems.

The researchers carried out experimental tests to validate the effectiveness of the optical scanner. Using an artificial human eye model and an ex vivo rabbit eye, they acquired OCT images of the entire eye and compared the results with those obtained using conventional OCT systems. The results showed comparable characteristics and satisfactory image quality, demonstrating the clinical potential of this new technology.

The new optical scanner offers numerous advantages in the field of ocular biometry, cataract surgery planning, glaucoma diagnosis and severe myopia progression studies. Furthermore, its dynamic reconfiguration capacity opens the door to new ophthalmic applications and future developments.

This innovation represents a significant advancement in the field of ophthalmology by offering a versatile, cost-effective and high-quality solution for whole-eye imaging. This technology is expected to have a positive impact on ocular healthcare and contribute to early and accurate diagnosis of various ocular diseases.

This research work is a collaboration between the spin-off 2EyesVision S.L., the CSIC Institute of Optics, the International Center for Translational Eye Research (ICTER) of the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPC-PAS) and the Center for Visual Science of the University of Rochester from NY

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