The construction of a model eye for investigation of laser-tissue interactions in scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

Purpose: To develop a model eye to study laser-tissue interactions during retinal imaging with scanning ophthalmoscopy.

Methods: A model eye was designed to match the optical properties of the human eye based on the Bennett and Rabbetts schematic eye.

Results: Alterations in axial length resulted in changes in refractive error similar to those in the human eye (3.70 D for 1 mm in axial length). Perfusion-fixed retinal tissue could be successfully imaged using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and Optical Coherence Tomograph to provide images that are similar in quality to those obtained.

Conclusions: The model eye should be a valuable tool for investigating laser-tissue interactions during scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and the derivation of digital retinal and tomographic images. This model should also enable a determination of the accuracy with which digital imaging techniques, such as the optical coherence tomograph and Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, measure retinal structure.