Pupil Tracking for Real-Time Motion Corrected Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Accurate anterior segment imaging is crucial for understanding eye anatomy and disease.
• Current anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) methods struggle with motion artifacts due to involuntary eye movements, impacting data accuracy.
• Existing motion compensation techniques for retinal OCT are unsuitable for anterior segment imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a real-time motion compensation system for anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT).
• To improve the accuracy and repeatability of volumetric imaging of the anterior segment of the eye.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a simple, low-cost pupil tracking system with a custom swept-source OCT system.
• Utilizing coaxial pupil oculography hardware for rapid pupil centroid detection and tracking.
• Implementing real-time motion correction for ASOCT volumetric acquisition.

Main Results:

• The pupil tracking ASOCT system achieved diffraction-limited imaging over a 15 x 15 mm field of view.
• Demonstrated a lateral tracking range of +/- 2.5 mm.
• Successfully corrected eye motion artifacts at frequencies up to 22 Hz.

Conclusions:

• A novel, low-cost pupil tracking system effectively compensates for eye motion in ASOCT.
• This approach significantly enhances the accuracy and reproducibility of anterior segment volumetric imaging.
• The developed system holds promise for advancing clinical diagnostics and research in anterior eye diseases.