New High Speed Eye Scanner Helps Identify Retinal Diseases

A high-definition OCT image of the retina allows clinicians to non-invasively visualize the 3D structure of key regions, such as the macula (region near the fovea) and optic nerve head, to screen for signs of disease pathology. Shown here is a wide-field view (A) as well as detailed vertical cross-sections (B), (C) and (D) and a circular cross-section (E). Credit: Biomedical Optics Express

Photographs of the power grip style (A-B) and camcorder style designs (C-D) of the prototype OCT scanner. Both devices acquire 3D OCT images of the retina. Credit: Biomedical Optics Express

Eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration are best treated when spotted early, but often they go undiagnosed until symptoms appear because the instruments used to detect them are in an ophthalmologist’s office, not your primary care physician’s. A team at MIT has developed a hand-held device that can quickly, and with a single scan, help detect a variety of retinal conditions.

The device performs high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging using an infrared light source and tiny 2D mirror, creating a high-resolution 3D image of the retina. The system also automatically corrects for eye movement, effectively freezing the eye during the scan for a focused, streak-free result. Thought the essential technology inside the scanner has existed for years, and table-top systems have allowed diagnosis of retinal diseases by specialists, the new scanner may allow for population-wide screening of eye diseases.

Here’s a cross-sectional video of the resulting 3D image obtained using the scanner:

Paper in Biomedical Optics Express: Handheld ultrahigh speed swept source optical coherence tomography instrument using a MEMS scanning mirror…

Press release: Early Detection of Blinding Eye Disease Could be as Easy as Scanning a Barcode…