Wavelength-tuning interferometry of intraocular distances

We describe basic principles of wavelength-tuning interferometry and demonstrate its application in ophthalmology. The advantage of this technique compared with conventional low-coherence interferometry ranging is the simultaneous measurement of the object structure without the need for a moving ref...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied optics (2004) 1997-09, Vol.36 (25), p.6548-6553
Main Authors: Lexer, F, Hitzenberger, C K, Fercher, A F, Kulhavy, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We describe basic principles of wavelength-tuning interferometry and demonstrate its application in ophthalmology. The advantage of this technique compared with conventional low-coherence interferometry ranging is the simultaneous measurement of the object structure without the need for a moving reference mirror. Shifting the wavelength of an external-cavity tunable laser diode causes intensity oscillations in the interference pattern of light beams remitted from the intraocular structure. A Fourier transform of the corresponding wave-number-dependent photodetector signal yields the distribution of the scattering potential along the light beam illuminating the eye. We use an external interferometer to linearize the wave-number axis. We obtain high resolution in a model eye by slow tuning over a wide wavelength range. With lower resolution we demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of anterior segment length, vitreous chamber depth, and axial eye length in human eyes in vivo with data-acquisition times in the millisecond range.
ISSN:1559-128X
DOI:10.1364/AO.36.006548