Optical element movement mechanism for multi-modality ophthalmic imaging systems

An ophthalmic imaging apparatus operable in a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode to acquire images of a portion of an eye, the ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a light source;
• a photodetector;
• an optical system arranged to illuminate the portion of the eye with light from the light source and collect light from the illuminated portion of the eye, the optical system being further arranged to split the collected light into a first light and a second light, and convey guide the first light towards the photodetector via a first optical path, and the second light to the photodetector via a second optical path, the first optical path being different from the second optical path;
• and,
• a movement mechanism arranged to move a first optical element into and out of the first optical path, and concurrently move a second optical element into and out of the second optical path, wherein the first optical path and the second optical path pass through the movement mechanism, the movement mechanism comprising:
• an optical element mount arranged to support the first optical element and the second optical element, the optical element mount being operable to rotate each of the first optical element and the second optical element between a first rotational position and a second rotational position such that:
• the first optical element is disposed in the first optical path and the second optical element is disposed in the second optical path when the first optical element and the second optical element are in the first rotational position;
• and
• the first optical element is disposed out of the first optical path and the second optical element is disposed out of the second optical path when the first optical element and the second optical element are in the second rotational position;
• an actuator arranged to drive the optical element mount so as to set the first optical element and the second optical element to the first rotational position or the second rotational position;
• and
• a controller arranged to control the actuator to set the rotational position of the first optical element and the second optical element to the first rotational position when the ophthalmic imaging apparatus is operating in the first imaging mode, and to the second rotational position when the ophthalmic imaging apparatus is operating in the second imaging mode.