Abstract
For the first time in vivo retinal imaging has been performed with a new compact, low noise Yb-based ASE source operating in the 1 µm range (NP Photonics, λc=1040 nm, Δλ=50 nm, Pout=30 mW) at the dispersion minimum of water with ~7 µm axial resolution. OCT tomograms acquired at 800 nm are compared to those achieved at 1040 nm showing about 200 µm deeper penetration into the choroid below the retinal pigment epithelium. Retinal OCT at longer wavelengths significantly improves the visualization of the retinal pigment epithelium/choriocapillaris/choroid interface and superficial choroidal layers as well as reduces the scattering through turbid media and therefore might provide a better diagnosis tool for early stages of retinal pathologies such as age related macular degeneration which is accompanied by choroidal neovascularization, i.e. extensive growth of new blood vessels in the choroid and retina.
©2005 Optical Society of America
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