From Stars to Sight: Astronomy Optics Diagnose Eye Disease, Aid Vision
Project (Completed)
- Title: Adapting Astronomy to Ophthalomology
- Principal Investigator: Scott S. Olivier, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Collaborators: Bill Replogle, Sandia National Laboratories; David R. Williams, University of Rochester; John S. Werner, University of California, Davis; Mark Humayun, Doheny Eye Institute; Corina van de Pol, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory; Ian J. Cox, Boptom, Bausch & Lomb; and John G. Flannery, University of California, Berkeley
Adaptive Optics
Ever look up at the night sky and wonder how astronomers can take clear pictures of stars millions of miles away? Until recently, the same moving, shifting atmosphere that protects the earth prevented a clear view for ground telescopes peering into space. Only the Hubble Space Telescope—because it orbits the earth, above the atmosphere—did not have to deal with atmospheric distortion.
Two pictures of Neptune seen from a ground-based telescope. The picture on the left is without adaptive optics, and the picture on the right is with adaptive optics.
Today, astronomers using ground-based telescopes can correct image blurring from atmospheric turbulence using adaptive optics (AO). AO achieves its flexibility using a bendable, “deformable” mirror that can be adjusted as frequently as 1000 times per second. AO makes it possible for these telescopes to achieve almost the same resolution as the Hubble.
The unique qualities of AO offer some exciting possibilities not only for searching space but for looking into and out of the human eye. This research advanced knowledge in how AO might be used to diagnose eye diseases and possibly correct human vision.
Microelectromechanical Systems
A team of multiple DOE national laboratories and medical research centers developed microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)–machines on a microchip, sometimes smaller than a dust mite–for use with AO.
The team designed, constructed, and tested clinical ophthalmic instruments using MEMS and AO to revolutionize vision-correction techniques and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that cause blindness. Optometrists, retinal surgeons, and ophthalmologists will benefit from these advances by having the enhanced capabilities of commonly used instruments, including phoropters and fundus cameras.
How would AO and MEMS enhance ophthalmic instruments?
- AO can be incorporated into fundus cameras (used to take pictures of the inside of the eye, or fundus) and surgical microscopes to provide high-resolution retinal imaging for diagnostic and surgical applications.
- AO can replace the traditional phoropter, used to help an eye doctor determine patients’ prescriptions, whether they are near- or far-sighted, and if they have astigmatism. An AO device will allow optometrists to objectively assess these aberrations in the eye, along with other high-order aberrations that compromise visual performance in most individuals. Permanent correction of high-order aberrations could then be accomplished with custom laser eye surgery or contact lenses, currently under commercial development and being testing in clinical trials.
Project Results
In addition to developing new instruments, the team refined procedures for clinical retinal imaging and vision correction. Imaging was evaluated for diagnostic protocols for diseases that cause blindness, methodologies to measure the efficacy of new treatments for these diseases, and surgical protocols. Visual performance obtained with AO for a wide range of subjects was evaluated and compared to results using new vision-correction techniques and technologies. Finally, the team investigated new applications of real-time, molecular-scale, ocular imaging, including diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. The research ultimately will lead to the development of medical instruments for better eye care.
Potential Impact on Eye Care
Eye care will benefit from the development of a wide variety of ophthalmic diagnostic and treatment protocols. These new protocols will capitalize on the earlier detection of eye diseases and better assessment of treatments through cellular-level imaging enabled by MEMS and AO. Examples of current techniques that could be improved dramatically by the use of AO with MEMS include fluorescein angiography for testing retinal circulation, photodynamic therapy and laser photocoagulation for treatment of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and laser trabeculoplasty for treatment of glaucoma. In addition, this work could mean better vision correction from contact lenses and laser surgery.
Support
MEMS development work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Adaptive Optics; DARPA Coherent Communications, Imaging, and Targeting Program; and Medical Sciences Division of the Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy.
