A scanning laser ophthalmoscope capable of placing therapeutic laser spot applications onto a retinal location under continuous observation of said retinal location with said scanning laser ophthalmoscope, comprising the elements of:
- A. said scanning laser ophthalmoscope, having at least one scanning laser source producing sufficient power output to obtain a raster video image of the retina, said scanning laser ophthalmoscope having optoelectronic means for scanning said laser sources through a single pivot point, said scanning laser ophthalmoscope also having mechanical means to adjust the position of said pivot point to minimize the effect of optical aberrations on the retinal image, said scanning laser ophthalmoscope further containing optical means for focussing said laser sources on the desired level inside the eye;
- B. at least one external non-scanning therapeutic laser source, capable of retinal photocoagulation, combined with focussing means to adjust the position of the beam waist inside the eye;
- C. a transmission system comprising a beamsplitter and optomechanical linkage device, said beamsplitter mostly but not completely reflecting said external non-scanning therapeutic laser source towards the eye optics so that some of the returning light from the retina will be transmitted by said beamsplitter into said scanning laser ophthalmoscope, said beamsplitter further transmitting optimally said scanning laser sources in both directions, and said optomechanical linkage device having sufficient adjustable support elements to create a second pivot point for said therapeutic laser source, in addition to additional support elements to move said second pivot point relative to said pivot point of said scanning laser sources;
- D. first photodetecting means, synchronized with a second photodetecting means, for receiving selectively the backscattered light from said scanning laser sources after said backscattered light has passed through a confocal aperture, using optical elements comprising a beamsplitter and filters that are appropriately coated, thus creating a videosignal that contains mostly the image of the retina, devoid of light from said external non-scanning laser source;
- E. said second photodetecting means for receiving selectively the backscattered light of said external non-scanning therapeutic laser beams after said backscattered light has passed through a confocal aperture, in association with optical elements comprising a beamsplitter and filters that are appropriately coated to eliminate as much as possible the backscattered light produced by the scanning laser beams, thus creating a videosignal that contains the information concerning the location of said external non-scanning therapeutic laser beams on the retina;
- F. a computer capable of digital image processing including the generation of overlay graphics, said computer receiving the video signals from said first and second photodetecting means purposes, said computer capable of indicating with overlays the position of said external laser beam on the retinal image produced by first photodetecting means;
- whereby it becomes possible to continuously visualize said retinal location on a monitor, position and focus said therapeutic laser onto said retinal location with minimal aberrations, activate said therapeutic laser source for variable amounts of time while monitoring the position of said retinal location and observing the progression of the therapeutic laser application.