Optical Imaging of the Photoreceptor-RPE Complex

描述（由申请人提供）：当光感受器收集并响应光时，人类视觉开始。正常的光感受器功能及其来自视网膜色素上皮（RPE）的支持对于正常视力是必不可少的，然而在体内评估这些过程的技术有限。目前的光学和电生理技术具有有限的空间分辨率和灵敏度，并且仅针对特定的功能过程。快速、特异和非侵入性的新光学模式有望极大地扩展我们更准确和完整地监测光感受器RPE复合体的能力。我们将使用自适应光学（AO）和光学相干断层扫描（OCT）来实现前所未有的3D分辨率，用于研究感光细胞和RPE层细胞水平的生理机制。AOOCT与我们开发的精密灵敏的相位技术相结合将实现进一步的改进，该技术测量的光学长度变化小至45 nm。这比单个锥体外段（OS）圆盘略厚，比超高分辨率OCT的轴向分辨率高出近100倍。具体目标是：（1）确定控制光感受器中光捕获的物理参数;（2）评估光感受器中光散射的性质;以及（3）评估RPE中光散射的性质。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Human vision starts when photoreceptors collect and respond to light. Normal photoreceptor function and its support from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are essential for normal vision, yet techniques to assess these processes in vivo are limited. Current optical and electrophysiological techniques have limited spatial resolution and sensitivity, and target only specific functional processes. New optical modalities that are rapid, specific, and noninvasive hold the promise of greatly expanding our capability to monitor more accurately and completely the photoreceptor RPE complex. We will use adaptive optics (AO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to achieve unprecedented 3D resolution for studying physiological mechanisms at the cellular level in the photoreceptor and RPE layers. Further improvements will be realized using AOOCT in conjunction with an exquisitely sensitive phase technique that we have developed and that measures optical length changes as small as 45nm.This is slightly thicker than a single cone outer segment (OS) disc and nearly 100times better than the axial resolution of ultra high resolution OCT. The specific aims are to: (1) Determine the physical parameters that control light capture in photoreceptors; (2) Evaluate properties of light scatter in photoreceptors; and (3) Evaluate properties of light scatter in RPE.