Three-dimensional volume visualization of the in vivo human ocular lens showing localization of the cataract

Abstract

An in vivo human lens containing a cataract has been visualized by volume rendering a transformed series of 60 rotated Scheimpflug digital images. The data set was obtained by rotating the Scheimpflug camera about the optic axis of the lens in 3-degree increments. The set of 60 Scheimpflug digital images were mathematically transformed into a new data set in which the images are oriented perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye. The transformed set of optical sections were first aligned to correct for eye movements during the data collection process, then rendered into a three-dimensional volume reconstruction with volume-rendering computer graphics techniques. The viewpoint and the transparency of the volume rendered in vivo human lens were varied in order to observe volume opacities in various regions of the lens. To help visualize lens opacities, the intensity of light scattering was pseudocolor-coded as an integral part of the three-dimensional volume rendering. Three-dimensional, pseudocolored volume rendering of the in vivo human ocular lens represents a new technique to visualize in vivo human cataracts.