Open AccessMultiwavelength confocal laser scanning microscopy of the cornea
Author(s) -
Sebastian Bohn,
Karsten Sperlich,
Thomas Stahnke,
Melanie Schünemann,
H. Stolz,
Rudolf Guthoff,
Oliver Stachs
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.397615
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , cornea , confocal microscopy , microscopy , wavelength , laser , confocal , scattering , preclinical imaging , light scattering , image quality , biomedical engineering , in vivo , optoelectronics , medicine , biology , physics , microbiology and biotechnology , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Confocal reflectance microscopy has demonstrated the ability to produce in vivo images of corneal tissue with sufficient cellular resolution to diagnose a broad range of corneal conditions. To investigate the spectral behavior of corneal reflectance imaging, a modified laser ophthalmoscope was used. Imaging was performed in vivo on a human cornea as well as ex vivo on porcine and lamb corneae. Various corneal layers were imaged at the wavelengths 488 nm, 518 nm, and 815 nm and compared regarding image quality and differences in the depicted structures. Besides the wavelength- and depth-dependent scattering background, which impairs the image quality, a varying spectral reflectance of certain structures could be observed. Based on the obtained results, this paper emphasizes the importance of choosing the appropriate light source for corneal imaging. For the examination of the epithelial layers and the endothelium, shorter wavelengths should be preferred. In the remaining layers, longer wavelength light has the advantage of less scattering loss and a potentially higher subject compliance.