Abstract: Techniques for determining an alignment status of a subject's eyes are presented. The techniques utilize an optical scanner, a left polarizing beam splitter, a first left optical sensor, a second left optical sensor, a right polarizing beam splitter, a first right optical sensor, a second right optical sensor, and an electronic processor. The techniques include: normalizing a left eye electrical signal based on a power of a left eye normalizing signal at a spectrum that is characteristic of central fixation, and normalizing a right eye electrical signal based on a power of a right eye normalizing signal at a spectrum that is characteristic of central fixation. The techniques also include determining an alignment status of the subject's eyes based on a level of the normalized left eye electrical signal and a level of the normalized right eye electrical signal, and outputting an alignment status of the subject's eyes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for improved aiming during Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) on young children and those unable to cooperate with OCT imaging by synchronization with retinal birefringence scanning (RBS). OCT is performed without knowing whether or not the subject is looking at the intended target. The present invention combines OCT retinal imaging, such as, but not limited to, time domain OCT, SDOCT, or SSOCT, with RBS technology that provides accurate information on the presence or absence of foveal fixation. Therefore, the present invention only analyzes data during foveal fixation. A system combining OCT with RBS is implemented such that both systems co-operate in a specified alignment, such that when the RBS fixation detection system detects alignment with the fovea of the eye, the OCT system will be aimed at the retinal region of interest, usually but not necessarily including the macular area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for improved aiming during Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) on young children and those unable to cooperate with OCT imaging by synchronization with retinal birefringence scanning (RBS). OCT is performed without knowing whether or not the subject is looking at the intended target. The present invention combines OCT retinal imaging, such as, but not limited to, time domain OCT, SDOCT, or SSOCT, with RBS technology that provides accurate information on the presence or absence of foveal fixation. Therefore, the present invention only analyzes data during foveal fixation. A system combining OCT with RBS is implemented such that both systems co-operate in a specified alignment, such that when the RBS fixation detection system detects alignment with the fovea of the eye, the OCT system will be aimed at the retinal region of interest, usually but not necessarily including the macular area.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for assessing the direction of fixation of an eye by detecting polarization-related changes in light retroreflected from the fundus of the eye. Nerve fibers in the retina of the eye are birefringent and alter the polarization state of light traversing them as a function of their orientation. The nerve fibers are arrayed in a characteristic pattern in the retina, specifically radiating outward from the fovea and converging to the optic nerve head. By assessment of polarization-related changes in rctroreflected light from multiple retinal areas either sequentially or simultaneously, characteristic birefringence signatures of portions of the retina can be identified which are used to assess the direction of fixation of the eye. In addition, interference from the corneal birefringence is reduced by using incident light having a polarization state that is substantially independent of meridional direction.