Diffuse spectral fundus reflectance measured using subretinally placed spectralon.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Optics
• Retinal Imaging

Background:

• Accurate in vivo measurement of retinal optical properties is crucial for understanding light-tissue interactions.
• Previous methods for measuring spectral transmittance were limited by scattering and absorption within ocular tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel in vivo method for measuring the spectral transmittance of the swine sensory retina.
• To quantify the optical properties of the swine retina across the visible spectrum.

Main Methods:

• Intravitreal illumination and oblique fundus imaging were employed in a female American Yorkshire domestic swine model.
• Pars plana vitrectomy was performed, followed by insertion of a Spectralon disk for calibration and scattering correction.
• Multispectral retinal images were acquired under various conditions to determine absolute reflectance and transmittance.

Main Results:

• The diffuse fundus reflectance and spectral transmittance of the swine sensory retina were successfully measured in vivo.
• Melanin and hemoglobin absorption were accounted for to achieve absolute reflectance measurements.
• The in vivo spectral transmittance of the swine sensory retina was found to be essentially flat across the visible spectrum, averaging over 90%.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides accurate in vivo measurement of swine sensory retinal spectral transmittance.
• The swine sensory retina exhibits high and uniform transmittance across the visible spectrum.
• This technique can advance the understanding of light propagation within the retina for various ophthalmic applications.