Systems and methods for obtaining low-angle circumferential optical access to the eye

A system for obtaining low-angle circumferential optical access to an eye of a subject, the system comprising:

• a light source to generate a beam of light;
• a beam steering mechanism to steer the beam of light;
• a focusing lens to focus the beam of light;
• and
• a contact lens to direct the beam of light into the eye of the subject, the contact lens including
• a refractive surface through which the beam of light enters the contact lens, and
• a tapered reflective surface to direct the beam of light into the eye of the subject such that circumferential optical access is obtained by adjusting a steered position of the beam of light, wherein the tapered reflective surface is radially symmetric about a central axis, wherein the refractive surface is shaped to refract the beam of light entering the contact lens through the refractive surface at an angle away from the central axis and towards the tapered reflective surface, and wherein the reflective surface reflects the refracted beam of light towards the central axis and into the eye of the subject.