Non-mydriatic ultra-widefield diffraction-limited retinal imaging.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for retinal imaging often require mydriatic (pupil-dilating) agents.
• Pupillary dilation adds time, cost, discomfort, and potential medical risks to retinal examinations.
• Existing ultra-widefield OCT systems face limitations in field of view and working distance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a new non-mydriatic ultra-widefield OCT retinal imaging system.
• To improve imaging field of view, lateral resolution, and patient comfort.
• To address challenges associated with conventional mydriatic OCT systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel non-mydriatic ultra-widefield OCT system utilizing custom optics.
• System designed for an ultrawide 100° field of view and a generous 16 mm working distance.
• Evaluation of imaging performance, including lateral resolution and avoidance of artifacts without pharmacological dilation.

Main Results:

• The system achieved an ultrawide 100° field of view with a lateral resolution of 20 µm at the center.
• A working distance 2-3 times longer than existing systems was maintained.
• Iris vignetting artifacts were avoided, enabling diffraction-limited ultra-widefield imaging without mydriasis.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated non-mydriatic ultra-widefield OCT system significantly enhances retinal imaging capabilities.
• The system offers improved patient comfort and examination efficiency by eliminating the need for pupil dilation.
• This technology enables comprehensive evaluation of retinal diseases, particularly those involving peripheral regions.