Applications of adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

Adaptive optics (AO) describes a set of tools to correct or control aberrations in any optical system. In the eye, AO allows for precise control of the ocular aberrations. If used to correct aberrations over a large pupil, for example, cellular level resolution in retinal images can be achieved. AO systems have been demonstrated for advanced ophthalmoscopy as well as for testing and/or improving vision. In fact, AO can be integrated to any ophthalmic instrument where the optics of the eye is involved, with a scope of applications ranging from phoropters to optical coherence tomography systems. In this article, I discuss the applications and advantages of using AO in a specific system, the AO scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Since the Borish award was, in part, awarded to me because of this effort, I felt it appropriate to select this as the topic for this article. Furthermore, users of AO scanning laser ophthalmoscope continue to appreciate the benefits of the technology, some of which were not anticipated at the time of development, and so it is time to revisit this topic and summarize them in a single article.