$\textit{In vivo}$ fundus imaging and computational refocusing with a diffuser-based fundus camera

Abstract

Significance: Access to diagnostic eye care could be expanded with high-throughput and easy-to-use tools. Phase mask-based imaging may improve the fundus camera by enabling computational refocusing with no moving parts. While phase mask-based imaging has been demonstrated in a model eye, this approach has not been shown $\textit{in vivo}$. Aim: A computational fundus camera was designed, constructed, and evaluated with the goal of determining the feasibility and performance of phase mask-based computational imaging of the $\textit{in vivo}$ fundus. Approach: A holographic diffuser was introduced in a modified commercial fundus camera at a plane conjugate to the ocular pupil, resulting in a linear and shift-invariant point spread function that varies with refractive error. The image could be digitally refocused across a range of $\geq\pm$ 10 diopters of defocus error. The device was tested for ocular safety, and a human imaging pilot study was performed. Results: The device captured and digitally refocused color human fundus images. The field of view was $\geq$35 degrees and resolution was 7.7-9.6 line pairs per mm. Conclusions: We present the first $\textit{in vivo}$ diffuser-based fundus images, demonstrating the feasibility of computational imaging for ocular diagnostics.