Handheld contact-type OCT and color fundus system for retinal imaging

Abstract

We present proof of concept for a handheld contact-type system capable of simultaneous optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the retina and wide-field digital fundus color photography. The study focuses on demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approach, particularly for eventual use in pediatric patients during examination under anesthesia in the operating room and in the neonatal intensive care unit. Direct contact of the probe with the cornea allows the photographer to maintain a stable position during imaging, reducing motion artifacts in the OCT images. Additionally, it simplifies the alignment process and increases the field of view of the optics. By integrating OCT and fundus imaging into a single device, the proposed compact modular design eliminates the need for separate, space-consuming systems dedicated to each imaging modality.