Spectral retinal imaging for improved disease diagnosis

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By 2020, there will be 200 million (estimate) visually-impaired people world wide.  Main diseases in richer countries with aging populations are glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration —80% of which are preventable or treatable.

 

The potential of hyperspectral imaging for characterisation of retinal diseases is enormous.  Heriot Watt University and the Gloucestershire Eye Unit are conducting research involving recording hyperspectral images of diseased and healthy retina.  The following benefits have been indicated:

 

·         Ability to qualitatively map blood oxygenation and some indication of differential blood deoxygenation in diseased retina.

 

·         Enhanced ability to delineate retinal structure (e.g. the optic disc, optic cup).

 

·         Enhanced discrimination between healthy and diseased tissues.

 

·         Improved imaging of specific retinal structures (e.g. the nerve fibre layer).

Example of retinal oximetry

 

 

Contact

 

Prof. Andy Harvey

 

Room 2.5

Mountbatten Building

School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Heriot Watt University

Ricarton, Edinburgh, UK

EH14 4AS

 

email: a.r.harvey@hw.ac.uk

website: http://emfs1.eps.hw.ac.uk/~ceearh2

tel:  +44 (0)131 451 3356

fax: +44 (0)131 451 4155