Near-infrared fundus camera with a patterned interference filter for the retinal scattering detection

Abstract

Abstract The fundus camera is a system that enables retinal observations for the diagnosis of eye diseases. A near-infrared (NIR) multispectral fundus imaging system can capture color images using NIR light instead of visible light, thus avoiding irritation of the eyes and allowing for easier observations of the fundus. In this study, we developed an NIR fundus camera with a patterned metal mask for retinal patterned illumination. The pattern illuminated fundus images from the experiment prove the feasibility of retinal scattering detection using retinal patterned illumination. The layout of the patterned mask was optimized to prevent the interaction of scattered light and the multi-layer film structures of a patterned interference filter were proposed. The simulated transmission spectra showed that the transmittance of the linear stripe pattern, visual target, and fundus illumination are sufficiently high for the retinal patterned illumination.