|
The retina is a very complex and dynamic structure of the
eye. It is truly a window to the body, giving us extraordinary access to the microcirculation of the body as well as the eye
and to the central nervous system. At the same time, its transparency and sequestered location within the inner lining of
the globe challenges our technical facility for revealing its secrets without disturbing it function. Towards the purpose
we have enlisted a growing number state-of-the-art imaging devices that provide quantitative and real-time analysis of the
retinal structure and function.
A historical perspective of retinal
imaging allows us to move forward in our work. Our aim is to provide doctors and their patients with the most advanced diagnostic
tools available to visualize and understand the human retina. Corollary to this, we participate in the development of new
technology for the advancement of this field. We are likewise involved in that further increase our understanding of the normal
and diseased retina, as well as the effects of new therapies on various disease states.
|
The Structure |
The Challenge |
|
Transparent structure
100-250 µm thick |
Resolution of microanatomy
|
|
127 million photoreceptors (7M cones and 120M rods) |
Quantitative analysis
of structures and function |
|
1.2M optic nerve fibers
– 100 fold internal integration |
Panoramic viewing
|
|
Dynamic sensitivity range spans 11 orders
of magnitude |
Functional imaging
|
|
|
Real-time dynamic imaging
|
|
The Golden
Age of Ophthalmology |
|
1852 |
Ruete
|
Indirect
Ophthalmoscope |
|
1853
|
Donders
|
Pigment
Retinopathy |
|
|
Coccius
|
Detachment
of the Retina |
|
1855 |
Von Graefe
|
Cupped Disc
of Glaucoma |
|
|
Liebreich
|
Central
Retinal Vein Occlusion |
|
|
Jaeger
|
Diabetic
Retinopathy |
|
1856
|
Heymann
|
Hypertensive
Retinopathy |
|
1858
|
Jacobsen
|
Syphilitic
Retinitis |
|
1859/1860
|
Von Graefe
|
Embolism
of the Central Retinal Vein |
|
