Hyperspectral and Multi-Modal Retinal Imaging for Assessment of Retinal Laser Damage

The Phase I objective is a conceptual design of a hyperspectral/multimodal fundus camera for assessing laser damage.  The premise to be ultimately proven in this project is that damage to the fundus, from laser irradiation, may be characterized and detected by reflectance spectra, and by measuring function such as flow and perfusion.  The system will incorporate an existing fundus camera model (e.g., Topcon), custom optical components for hyperspectral/multimodal imaging and a computer interface for controlling the custom components.  Software will include specialized acquisition for hyperspectral imaging, automated alignment to compensate eye motion, compensation for illumination flicker, correction of nonuniform component spectra, and compensation of other imperfections, algorithms that highlight lesions, deconvolution for improving spatial and spectral resolving power, and algorithms for detecting flow and perfusion changes.  In Phase II, the prototype instrument will be built and tested with NHPs and/or humans in collaboration with Brooks AFB.  Tests with NHPs in detecting and characterizing laser-induced damage will be carried out.  In Phase III the commercial-ready models will be produced, first, for military applications, and secondly for private sector clinical applications.  Private sector applications include AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and related conditions. BENEFIT: The most immediate military benefit will be the capability of diagnosing or comfirming laser damage to retinas/fundi.  Commercial applications are in clinical diagnosis and treatment of AMD, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, among others.