Abstract: In an OCT apparatus, an object light beam is returned from a target and interferes with a reference light beam. Image information is obtained from a depth Z in the target that depends on the optical path difference between the object and reference beams with a resolution that depends on the coherence length of the light. A scanner transversely scans the target with the object beam over a plurality of image points defined by the resolution of the apparatus. Interface optics directs the reference and object beams onto an array of detector elements such that the optical path difference between the reference beam and the object beam varies across the array. The reference beam and the object beam interfere with each other over the array of detector elements for individual image points on the target during each transverse scan. A memory stores a subset of data points corresponding to each individual image point obtained from each detector elements of the array.

Abstract: A scanning ophthalmoscope (10) and method is provided for scanning the retina of an eye comprising a source of collimated light (12), a first scanning element (14), a second scanning element (16), scan compensation means (18), wherein the source of collimated light, the first and second scanning elements and the scan compensation means combine to provide a two-dimensional collimated light scan from an apparent point source, and the scanning ophthalmoscope further comprises scan transfer means (20), wherein the scan transfer means has two foci and the apparent point source is provided at a first focus of the scan transfer means and an eye (22) is accommodated at a second focus of the scan transfer means.