Abstract

We are in the process of constructing a vascular entoptoscope suitable for hands-on museum use. The entoptoscope will allow the user to view the smallest details of the retinal vasculature in the macular area and to measure the size of the foveal avascular zone. The device is user friendly and requires only that the user have a pupil size of at least 3 mm and be able to hold his or her head relatively still. Furthermore, because the vascular entoptoscope produces an entoptic view of the vessels, it is not sensitive to variations in refractive errors. Therefore, appropriate refractive corrections (i.e., spectacles or contact lenses) are not necessary for sharp visualization of the capillaries. The device uses the optical principles of Maxwellian view to image a uniformly illuminated blue test field on the retina. The exit pupil of the system is 0.75 mm in diameter and rotates at a rate of 3 4 Hz around a point approximately centered in the entrance pupil of the eye. Depending on the embellishments added, a museum-durable vascular entoptoscope can be built for $12,000 $16,000, or less if several units are constructed at one time.

© 1990 Optical Society of America