Adaptive optics

Question 1

What are 3 indications for adaptive optics?

Answer 1

1. evaluation of photoreceptor loss in inherited retinal degenerations
2. assessment of geographic atrophy and drusen progression in patients with AMD
3. assessment of anatoical outcomes in clinical trials of photoreceptor and RPE stem cell therapies

Question 2

What limits the transverse optical resolution of fundus cameras and SLO devices?

Answer 2

the presence of defects or aberrations in the optical system of the eye (i.e. cornea and lens)

Question 3

What can be used for real-time measurement of aberrations/defects caused by cornea and lens which limit transverse optical resolution?

Answer 3

Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor

Question 4

How can the measured optical aberrations / defects measured by a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor be compensated for?

Answer 4

highly deformable mirrors (mirrors with large numbers of small, electronic actuators on rear surface that can push and pull them to adopt any desired configured)

Question 5

What does the term adaptive optics refer to?

Answer 5

incorporating wavefront sensing and correction into existing optical imaging platforms

Question 6

What is the benefit of adaptive optics?

Answer 6

acquire images of retina with cellular-level resolution in a non-invasive fashion

Question 7

What type of cell is the dominant feature seen with adaptive optics systems?

Answer 7

cone photoreceptors

Question 8

Which 2 types of cells are difficult to visualise even with adaptive optics?

Answer 8

1. rods - smaller
2. smallest cones at foveal centre

Question 9

What are 2 types of devices into which adaptive optics has been incorporated?

Answer 9

1. fundus cameras
2. SLO systems

Question 10

What technology may adaptive optics be combined with in future?

Answer 10

OCT

Question 11

What is a limit of adaptive optics?

Answer 11

improve transverse resolution but field of view is limited