Device transforms eye exams

Technology should improve diagnosis accuracy

The current methods of eye examination are set to be revolutionised by new technology being developed by British scientists.

It is hoped the device will be more comfortable for patients - and help doctors to make more accurate diagnoses.

Merging these two technologies offers doctors an in-depth view of eye tissue

Dr Adrian Podoleanu

The Optical Dual Channel Tomograph has been devised by a team from the Applied Optics Group at the School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury.

It works by blending together two imaging technologies to produce simultaneous images with a different depth of resolution.

These can be used to create 3D images of the retina at the back of the eye that can be rotated, and examined from different perspectives.

Although it is still in the early stages, it is already being used by ophthalmologists and researchers at New York's famous Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Retina Research Macula Foundation in New York.

In-depth view

Senior lecturer Dr Adrian Podoleanu said: "Merging these two technologies offers doctors an in-depth view of eye tissue and patients a less invasive, more comfortable diagnosis."

Dr Podoleanu himself has undergone eye tests using older technologies, for research purposes.

He said they have after-effects - including loss of colour vision - that can last for hours.

The new technology does not produce the same problems because it works at a lower power.

Dr Podoleanu said that the technology could potentially be used to produce images of other body tissues.