Wide field fundus camera with auto-montage at a single alignment

Abstract

A wide field fundus camera is disclosed to implement multiple illumination beam projectors and to capture multiple retinal images at various viewing angles to facilitate wide field retinal examination. The wide field fundus camera contemplates an ultra-wide field lens that can provide edge to edge imaging of the entire retina at a single alignment. The wide field fundus camera contemplates configuration of said multiple illumination beam projectors to provide visualization of retina and Purkinje reflections simultaneously to facilitate determination of proper camera alignment with the eye. The wide field fundus camera further contemplates control of multiple illumination beam projectors in a programmable manner to further assess alignment of each illumination beam projector with the eye and to capture said multiple retinal images. The wide field fundus camera further contemplates a consumer image recording device with fast auto focusing and fast continuous image capture to make the device easy to use and quick to respond. The wide field fundus camera further contemplates narrow and broad slit beam illuminations to enhance autofocusing, imaging through less transparent crystalline lens, and reduction of haze due to reflected and scattered light from camera and ocular surfaces other than the retina. The wide field camera contemplates a real-time algorithm to reduce said reflected and scattered light haze in said retinal images. The wide field camera further contemplates automated montage of said multiple retinal images into a single wide field FOV retinal montage and automated removal reflected and scattered light haze from said retinal montage. The wide field camera further contemplates to automatically identify camera alignment with the eye and standardize an alignment procedure to simplify reflected and scattered light haze to facilitate dehaze and auto montage of said retinal images.