Wide-field self-referenced optical coherence tomography imaging of the corneal microlayers

We present a technique for wide-field OCT imaging of the cornea using self-referenced interference of the anterior corneal surface with the underlying corneal structure. The method employs a custom objective lens that ensures that the probing beam remains nearly perpendicular to the anterior corneal surface, effectively utilizing it as a reference to generate interference. This approach allows for high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging of corneal layers over a 9mm optical zone. Tests on human subjects show the ability of the system to quantify the anterior corneal layer thickness.