NOVEL-APPROACH TOWARDS COLOR IMAGING USING A SCANNING LASER OPHTHALMOSCOPE

Aims-Conventional fundus imaging using a fundus camera produces colour fundus pictures. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) has the adva ntages of lower levels of Light exposure, improved contrast, and direc t digital imaging but until now has produced monochromatic images as a laser of single wavelength is used. True representation of the fundus is possible by combining images taken using blue, green, and red lase rs. Methods-A custom built SLO was used to capture blue, green, and re d fundus images from suitable volunteers and patients with fundus dise ase. Images were corrected for eye movement and combined to form a col our image. Colour fundus photographs were taken using a fundus camera for comparison with the SLO image. Results-The background fundus and r etinal vasculature had similar appearances with the two imaging modali ties. Internal limiting membrane reflections were prominent with the S LO. Identification of new vessels in the diabetic fundus was easier wi th the SLO than the colour fundus photographs. Conclusion-A colour SLO offers all the advantages of the present monochromatic imaging system with the added advantage of true colour representation of the fundus.