Development of a Low-Cost Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope Using Semiconductor Laser Technology

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) is crucial for ophthalmic diagnostics but limited by high costs.
• Existing SLO devices often require pupil dilation and focus adjustment, hindering accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a low-cost, safe, and user-friendly SLO prototype.
• To assess the efficacy of the prototype in imaging ocular pathologies without pupil dilation or focus adjustment.

Main Methods:

• Development of a prototype SLO utilizing semiconductor laser technology with red (638 nm) and infrared (IR; 795 nm) lasers.
• Examination of 53 patients (93 eyes) with glaucoma, branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Main Results:

• Successful high-quality imaging was achieved in 83 eyes (47 patients).
• The non-invasive device clearly visualized the optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal vessels.
• Ophthalmological findings including ONH cupping, macular edema, and retinal hemorrhage were detectable.

Conclusions:

• The developed low-cost SLO effectively captures ocular morphology and pathology.
• This technology offers potential for enhanced accessibility in ophthalmic diagnostics, especially in resource-limited settings.
• It can aid in the early detection and management of various eye diseases.