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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
11:21
Integrated Photoacoustic Ophthalmoscopy and Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: January 15, 2013
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Non-mydriatic handheld optical coherence tomography for panretinal imaging
Shuibin Ni1, Ringo Ng1, David Sutter1,2
1Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Biomedical Optics Express
|December 10, 2025
Summary
A new handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) system provides wide-field retinal imaging without dilation. This non-mydriatic device allows detailed visualization of the entire retina for pediatric and adult patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional retinal imaging often requires pharmacologic dilation or scleral depression, limiting its application in certain patient groups, particularly infants and children.
- Assessing the peripheral retina is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring various ocular pathologies, but current methods can be challenging to implement in non-cooperative patients or bedside settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a handheld, non-mydriatic optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for comprehensive panretinal imaging.
- To assess the system's capability in visualizing both the posterior pole and peripheral retina across diverse patient populations, including neonates and adults.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a prototype handheld OCT system with a 140° visual angle and a customized optical design to minimize beam wander.
- Utilized a 400 kHz VCSEL light source for high-speed acquisition and an extended 12 mm axial imaging range to accommodate retinal curvature.
- Conducted imaging sessions with 117 patients, including premature infants in NICU and pediatric/adult outpatients.
Main Results:
- The system achieved detailed visualization from the posterior pole to the peripheral retina without pharmacologic dilation or scleral depression.
- Consistently produced high-resolution en face OCT images, B-scans, and OCT angiography (OCTA) across all patient cohorts.
- Demonstrated successful imaging in 32 premature infants, highlighting its utility in neonatal intensive care units.
Conclusions:
- The handheld, non-mydriatic OCT system offers a rapid, comprehensive, and flexible approach to retinal assessment.
- The technology shows significant potential for diagnosing and monitoring peripheral retinal pathologies, especially in pediatric ophthalmology and critical care settings.
- Its design facilitates bedside and preoperative imaging, overcoming limitations of conventional methods.
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