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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Spectral imaging of the retina
D J Mordant1, I Al-Abboud, G Muyo
1Ophthalmology Department, Gloucestershire Eye Unit, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cheltenham, UK.
Introduction:
The work described here involved the use of a modified fundus camera to obtain sequential hyperspectral images of the retina in 14 normal volunteers and in 1 illustrative patient with a retinal vascular occlusion.
Methods:
The paper describes analysis techniques, which allow oximetry within retinal vessels; these results are presented as retinal oximetry maps.
Results:
Using spectral images, with wavelengths between 556 and 650 nm, the mean oxygen saturation (OS) value in temporal retinal arterioles in normal volunteers was 104.3 (± 16.7), and in normal temporal retinal venules was 34.8 (± 17.8). These values are comparable to those quoted in the literature, although, the venular saturations are slightly lower than those values found by other authors; explanations are offered for these differences.
Discussion:
The described imaging and analysis techniques produce a clinically useful map of retinal oximetric values. The results from normal volunteers and from one illustrative patient are presented. Further developments, including the recent development of a 'snapshot' spectral camera, promises enhanced non-invasive retinal vessel oximetry mapping.
