Real-time 3-D imaging of the fundus by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

Abstract A 3-D imaging method is proposed for a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. It employs two defocused images obtained in a confocal optical arrangement with two detection apertures. Evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratio for detecting signals indicate that profile measurements can be achieved with an accuracy better than 50 μm. With this method, the 3-D shape Z( x, y ) of the eye fundus is observed in vivo in real-time using a standard television system.