Mirror alignment mechanism for ophthalmic imaging systems

An optical assembly for an ophthalmic imaging apparatus, the ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a light source arranged to generate a light beam;
• a photodetector;
• and
• an optical system arranged to illuminate a portion of an eye with light from the light beam and collect light from the illuminated portion of the eye,
• wherein the optical assembly, when installed in the ophthalmic imaging apparatus, is arranged to guide the light beam from the light source to the optical system, and to convey the light collected by the optical system towards the photodetector,
• the optical assembly comprising:
• a housing through which the light beam from the light source propagates towards the optical system in a first direction along an optical path during use of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus, and through which the light collected by the optical system propagates towards the photodetector in a second direction along the optical path during use of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction, and the housing comprises an opening for allowing the light beam generated by the light source to enter the housing;
• an arm which extends into the housing;
• a reflective element mounted on the arm, the reflective element comprising a reflective surface for reflecting the light beam passing through the opening during use of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus;
• and
• an adjustable attachment mechanism arranged to attach the arm to the housing and to allow the reflective element to be adjusted by at least one of:
• rotating the reflective element about a first axis of rotation passing through a point on the reflective surface, the first axis of rotation being perpendicular to the optical path;
• rotating the reflective element about a second axis of rotation passing through the point on the reflective surface, the second axis of rotation being perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and the optical path;
• or
• translating the reflective element along the optical path,
• such that, during use of the ophthalmic imaging apparatus, the reflective element is arranged to reflect the light beam passing through the opening to propagate along the optical path in the first direction.