High-resolution hyperspectral imaging of the retina with a modified fundus camera

Abstract

Purpose: to examine the practical feasibility of developing a hyperspectral camera from a Zeiss fundus camera and to illustrate its use in imaging diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma patients.

Methods: the original light source of the camera was replaced with an external lamp filtered by a fast tunable liquid-crystal filter. The filtered light was then brought into the camera through an optical fiber. The original film camera was replaced by a digital camera. Images were obtained in normals and patients (primary open angle glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy) recruited at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

Results: a series of eight images were captured across 495- to 720-nm wavelengths, and recording time was less than 1.6s. The light level at the cornea was below the ANSI limits, and patients judged the measurement to be very comfortable. Images were of high quality and were used to generate a pixel-to-pixel oxygenation map of the optic nerve head. Frame alignment is necessary for frame-to-frame comparison but can be achieved through simple methods.

Conclusions: we have developed a hyperspectral camera with high spatial and spectral resolution across the whole visible spectrum that can be adapted from a standard fundus camera. The hyperspectral technique allows wavelength-specific visualization of retinal lesions that may be subvisible using a white light source camera. This hyperspectral technique may facilitate localization of retinal and disc pathology and consequently facilitate the diagnosis and management of retinal disease.