Chinese scientists first obtain retinal tomography images of living human eyes
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In a major breakthrough, Chinese scientists have successfully captured the first retinal tomography images of the human eye using OCT-AO (Optical Coherence Tomography - Adaptive Optics) technology. This achievement was made by the Institute of Optoelectronics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, marking significant progress in in vivo retinal imaging technologies.
Currently, high-resolution fundus imaging relies on techniques such as adaptive optical fundus cameras, adaptive optical confocal scanning ophthalmoscopes, and adaptive optics coherence tomography. These systems use an Adaptive Optics (AO) system to correct eye aberrations, achieving lateral resolutions close to the diffraction limit. However, each method has its limitations. For example, adaptive optical fundus cameras provide only surface-level images with low longitudinal resolution, while adaptive optical confocal scanning ophthalmoscopes struggle to achieve the detailed multi-layer imaging required for retinal structures.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a rapidly developing imaging technique over the past decade, uses weak coherent light and interferometry to detect backscattered signals from different tissue layers. By scanning, it can generate 2D or 3D images of biological tissues. With a vertical resolution of 1–15 micrometers—significantly higher than ultrasound—it is non-invasive and ideal for high-resolution imaging of the retinal layers. When combined with AO technology, OCT can produce images with both high lateral and vertical resolution, paving the way for 3D retinal reconstruction.
This advancement enables earlier diagnosis, better monitoring of disease progression, more accurate evaluation of drug effectiveness, and enhanced biometric studies. It also supports broader medical research and improves the overall management of eye diseases.
The successful capture of in vivo retinal tomography images represents a crucial step forward for non-invasive early detection of both ocular and systemic conditions in China. It lays the groundwork for the next generation of high-resolution bio-optical imaging technologies, which will greatly enhance the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases and contribute to public health improvement.
Source: China Medicine 123 Network