Method and apparatus for imaging and analysis of corneal tissue

A method for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue, comprising the steps:

• (a) providing a laser beam having a substantially planar configuration;
• (b) directing said laser beam through a cross-sectional portion of said corneal tissue, so as to illuminate said cross-sectional portion and cause said laser beam to be scattered by molecules in said corneal tissue;
• (c) detecting at least a portion of said scattered laser light so as to form a plurality of cross-sectional images of said corneal tissue, each said cross-sectional image being specified at a different light scatter plane defined within said corneal tissue;
• (d) forming a three-dimensional image of said corneal tissue on the basis of said plurality of said cross-sectional images;
• and
• (e) using said three-dimensional image to determine the thickness of said cornea along a selected cross-section of said cornea.

A method for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue, comprising the steps:

• (a) providing a laser beam having a substantially planar configuration;
• (b) directing said laser beam through a cross-sectional portion of said corneal tissue, so as to illuminate said cross-sectional portion and cause said laser beam to be scattered by molecules in said corneal tissue;
• (c) detecting at least a portion of said scattered laser light so as to form a plurality of cross-sectional images of said corneal tissue, each said cross-sectional image being specified at a different light scatter plane defined within said corneal tissue;
• (d) forming a three-dimensional image of said corneal tissue on the basis of said plurality of said cross-sectional images;
• and
• (e) using said three-dimensional image so as to determine the topography of said cornea.

Apparatus for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue, comprising:

• laser beam provision means for providing a planar laser beam having a substantially planar configuration;
• laser beam directing means for directing said laser beam through a cross-sectional portion of said corneal tissue, and cause said laser beam to be scattered by molecules in said corneal tissue;
• and
• image detection means for detecting at least a portion of said scattered laser light so as to form a cross-sectional image of said corneal tissue.

Apparatus for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue, comprising:

• laser beam provision means for providing a planar laser beam having a substantially planar configuration;
• laser beam directing means for directing said laser beam through a cross-sectional portion of said corneal tissue, and cause said laser beam to be scattered by molecules in said corneal tissue;
• means for detecting at least a portion of said scattered laser light and for forming a plurality of cross-sectional images of said corneal tissue, each said cross-sectional image being specified at a different light scatter plane defined within said corneal tissue;
• means for forming a three-dimensional image of said corneal tissue on the basis of said plurality of said cross-sectional image;
• and
• means for determining the thickness of said cornea along a selected cross-section of said cornea using said three-dimensional image.

Apparatus for in vivo imaging of corneal tissue, comprising:

• laser beam provision means for providing a planar laser beam having a substantially planar configuration;
• laser beam directing means for directing said laser beam through a cross-sectional portion of said corneal tissue, and cause said laser beam to be scattered by molecules in said corneal tissue;
• means for detecting at least a portion of said scattered laser light forming a plurality of cross-sectional images of said corneal tissue, each said cross-sectional image being specified at a different light scatter plane defined within said corneal tissue;
• means for forming a three-dimensional image of said corneal tissue on the basis of said plurality of said cross-sectional image;
• and
• means for determining the topography of said cornea along a selected cross-section of said cornea using said three-dimensional image.