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Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) shows great promise for the detection and classification of several diseases, particularly in the fields of "optical biopsy" as applied to oncology, and functional retinal imaging in ophthalmology. In this paper, we discuss the application of HSI to the detection of retinal diseases and technological solutions that address some of the fundamental difficulties of spectral imaging within the eye.
HSI of the retina offers a route to non-invasively deduce biochemical and metabolic processes within the retina. For example it shows promise for the mapping of retinal blood perfusion using spectral signatures of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. Compared with other techniques using just a few spectral measurements, it offers improved classification in the presence of spectral cross-contamination by pigments and other components within the retina. There are potential applications for this imaging technique in the investigation and treatment of the eye complications of diabetes, and other diseases involving disturbances to the retinal, or optic-nerve-head circulation.
It is well known that high-performance HSI requires high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) whereas the application of any imaging technique within the eye must cope with the twin limitations of the small numerical aperture provided by the entrance pupil to the eye and the limit on the radiant power at the retina. We advocate the use of spectrally-multiplexed spectral imaging techniques (the traditional filter wheel is a traditional example). These approaches enable a flexible approach to spectral imaging, with wider spectral range, higher SNRs and lower light intensity at the retina than could be achieved using a Fourier-transform (FT) approach. We report the use of spectral imaging to provide calibrated spectral albedo images of healthy and diseased retinas and the use of this data for screening purposes. These images clearly demonstrate the ability to distinguish between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin using spectral imaging and this shows promise for the early detection of various retinopathies.
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