Stereoscopic photography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

Abstract

Digital fundus angiography has advantages over conventional photography. However, digital angiography as it is normally performed, provides no stereoscopic information. Because stereoscopic data can be crucial in the evaluation of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, we developed methods to record stereoscopic information during video angiography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope and to produce high-quality static stereoscopic images. Stereoscopic information was collected by moving the scanning laser ophthalmoscope side-to-side and with a modified Allen separator. Stereoscopic images were displayed as stereoscopic pairs on 35-mm film, stereoscopic pairs from a digital printer, and as stereoscopic images directly on a conventional video monitor. This system to capture and display stereoscopic information is convenient, uses readily available technology, and can be adapted to any digital angiography system.