In-vivo measurement of the retinal movements using Fourier domain low coherence interferometry

We describe a new instrument developed for the study and diagnosis of glaucoma. This device is based on Fourier domain low coherence interferometry for in vivo measurement of the retinal movements, to assess in real-time the biomechanical properties of the eye. By measuring the displacement of the retina in a live rat, we show that the instrument has a spatial resolution of 200 nm at 200 Hz sampling rate. We found that the amplitude of the retinal movement due to cardiac pulsation is 15 mum. The system has the potential to become a useful clinical tool for evaluating the biomechanical properties of the eye.