New HAOSLO technology to image the eyes of young children created

Researchers at the Duke University, North Carolina, have created a handheld probe that can image individual photoreceptors in the eyes of young children. By imaging their retina, doctors should be able to diagnose eye diseases and track early brain development in children more efficiently.

Currently, individual photoreceptor cells are studied using an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) which gives a better image resolution than MRI. However this is big, expensive and can only be used for patients able to sit straight and stare for a few minutes, which not all children or adults with mobility issues can do. The smaller and lighter hand held version (HAOSLO) was created by improving the optical, signal processing and mechanical designs of the AOSLO, and developing a new algorithm to replace the AOSLO’s wavefront sensing system. The clinical trial involved 12 adults and two children, and it was able to capture detailed images of photoreceptors close to the fovea where photoreceptors are smallest and vision is most acute.

Theodore DuBose, first author and a PhD student in the department of biomedical engineering at Duke, said: “Other researchers have shown that the wavefront sensor can be replaced by an algorithm, but previous algorithms haven’t been fast or robust enough to be used in a handheld device,”. “The algorithm we developed is much faster than previous techniques and just as accurate.”

Sina Farsiu, an associate professor in the departments of biomedical engineering and ophthalmology, said: “Our new tool is fast and lightweight so physicians can take it directly to their patients, and the probe allows us to collect images quickly, even if there is movement. These capabilities allow us to open up the pool of patients who could benefit from this technology.”