Three-dimensional confocal microscopy of the human optic nerve in vivo

A scanning laser confocal microscope was used to visualize the human fundus (the back portion of the eyeball, as seen by means of the ophthalmoscope) in vivo from near the retinal surface to deep within the optic nerve head. Thirty two optical sections based on reflected light were acquired, digitized and aligned to compensate for small eye movements. The registered stack of optical sections was reconstructed with three-dimensional volume rendering software and presented as a movie. The three-dimensional rendering presents a new technique to view the optic nerve. This technique is clinically important since morphological changes of the lamina cribrosa of the optic nerve may be involved in glaucoma.