Optical design and analysis for ocular imaging probes - an investigation

Abstract

The trabecular meshwork (TM) in the iridocorneal angle (lCA) of the eye, plays a vital role in aqueous outflow. Abnormalities in TM can alter the aqueous humor flow rate, thereby increasing the intraocular pressure (lOP) which could subsequently lead to critical ocular diseases such as glaucoma. Currently, there are limited clinical devices to optically image the ICA and TM region of the eye with high resolution. In this project, a novel optical imaging system adapted with gonio lens for high-resolution ICA imaging is presented. Optical simulation, which include ray tracing and PSF grid measurement were carried out to optimize the imaging system using Zemax. The optical performance of the imaging system is further tested by imaging ICA of the porcine samples. A benchmarking of the current state of the art systems with newly developed ocular imaging system is done. The images of ICA taken with this system shows significantly improved visualization of structures in the ICA including TM region, compared to the state of the art systems. It could reveal critical details of ICA and expected to aid management by providing information that is complementary to angle photography and gonioscopy.