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Non‐invasive imaging of human foveal capillary network using dual‐conjugate adaptive optics
Author(s) -
SJÖSTRAND J,
POPOVIC Z,
KNUTSSON P,
THAUNG J,
OWNERPETERSEN M
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.262.x
Subject(s) - foveal , foveal avascular zone , optics , region of interest , capillary action , field of view , biomedical engineering , radius , materials science , fluorescein angiography , physics , ophthalmology , computer science , medicine , computer vision , visual acuity , retinal , computer security , composite material
Purpose To demonstrate non‐invasive imaging of foveal capillary networks with a high‐resolution wide‐field dual‐conjugate adaptive optics (DCAO) imaging instrument. Methods The foveal capillary networks of five normal subjects were imaged with a novel high‐resolution wide‐field DCAO instrument. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in each image was defined using a manual procedure. An automated algorithm was used to identify vessels and extract morphological FAZ and vessel parameters. Capillary densities were calculated in two annular regions of interest (ROI) outside the FAZ (500 µm and 750 µm outer radius from the foveal center). Results Results: Mean FAZ area was 0.302 ± 0.100 mm2 and mean capillary density (length/area) in the inner ROI was 38.0 ± 4.0 mm‐1 and 36.4 ± 4.0 mm‐1 in the outer ROI. The difference in ROI capillary density was not significant. Conclusion We have demonstrated our technique for non‐invasive imaging and semi‐automated detection. Analysis of foveal capillaries yields lower capillary densities than reported in histological studies, but similar results compared to the current clinical gold standard of fluorescein angiography and AO‐SLO. The increased field of view of the DCAO instrument opens up new possibilities for high‐resolution non‐invasive clinical imaging of foveal capillaries.