Scanning ophthalmoscopes

A scanning opthalmoscope for scanning the retina of an eye comprising:

• a source of collimated light;
• a first scanning element;
• a second scanning element;
• scan compensation means;
• wherein the source of collimated light, the first and second scanning elements and the scan compensation means combine to provide a two-dimensional collimated light scan from an apparent point source;
• and
• the scanning opthalmoscope further comprises scan transfer means, wherein the scan transfer means has two foci and the apparent point source is provided at a first focus of the scan transfer means and an eye is accommodated at a second focus of the scan transfer means, and wherein the scan transfer means transfers the two-dimensional collimated light scan from the apparent point source into the eye,
• wherein the rotational axis of the second scanning element is substantially parallel to a line joining the two foci of the scan transfer means, and
• wherein, in the provision of the two-dimensional collimated light scan from the apparent point source, the scan compensation means produces a one-dimensional collimated light scan, and the line joining the two foci of the scan transfer means lies substantially on a plane defined by the one-dimensional collimated light scan produced by the scan compensation means.