Hyperspectral eye fundus imaging with extended spectral range towards the near infrared

Abstract

Eye fundus photography routinely used in clinical practice is restricted to color imaging of the retina. In the last years, hyperspectral imaging has shown to be a powerful tool for the spectral analysis of biological tissue. In this study, we present a fully custom-made fast hyperspectral fundus camera based on light emitting diodes (LED) with 15 different wavelengths of emission and with extended spectral sensitivity towards the near infrared (NIR) (from 400 nm to 1300 nm), which allows imaging deeper retinal layers, including the choroid, than current clinical devices. These new features will be very useful for a better understanding of ocular diseases as well as aiding in their diagnosis.