Depolarization properties of the optic nerve head: the effect of age.

The degree of polarization (DOP) of the light reflected from the optic nerve head has been assessed by means of a polarimetric scanning laser ophthalmoscope as a function of the age of the participants. Four fundus images corresponding to independent polarization states in the recording pathway were used to compute the spatially-resolved DOP. This was not uniform across the optic nerve head and depended on both the location and the participant's age.

Improved scanning laser fundus imaging using polarimetry.

We present a polarimetric technique to improve fundus images that notably simplifies and extends a previous procedure [Opt. Lett.27, 830 (2002)].

Characterizing image quality in a scanning laser ophthalmoscope with differing pinholes and induced scattered light.

We quantify the effects on scanning laser ophthalmoscope image quality of controlled amounts of scattered light, confocal pinhole diameter, and age. Optical volumes through the optic nerve head were recorded for a range of pinhole sizes in 12 subjects (19-64 years). The usefulness of various overall metrics in quantifying the changes in fundus image quality is assessed.