Ophthalmology - Laboratory

 

Description

TU Ilmenau
Figure 1: Basic equipment in the ophthalmology laboratory (basic diagnostics relating to the structure and function of the eye)

As the most important human sensory organ, the eye is often subject to other diseases and functional disorders in addition to normal age-related changes (changes to the lens, e.g. increasing clouding, loss of elasticity). These include diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and arterial and venous occlusive diseases, the early detection and treatment of which can lead to a higher quality of life for those affected. In ophthalmology, both anatomical and functional diagnostic methods are used to diagnose these diseases.

TU Ilmenau
Figure 2: Advanced device technology for special applications (optical biometry and angiography, imaging from the cellular/microvascular level to the extreme retinal periphery)

The equipment in this ophthalmology laboratory (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) makes it possible to carry out a comprehensive state-of-the-art eye examination. This includes determining the main eye parameters that describe a visual defect (short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism) and the intraocular pressure. It is also possible to check how large the area is that can be viewed with one eye without moving it (visual field test). In addition, the retina, which is located at the back of the eye, can be imaged, displayed and analyzed. Of particular interest here are the layer thicknesses of this retina, its blood vessels and the vessels of the choroid behind it.

 

Device list:

Basic diagnostics

  • Auto-refractor: CX 1000
  • Non-Contact Tonometer: NCT 800
  • Contact tonometer: Icare
  • Slit lamp: SL 120

Structural diagnostics

  • Fundus cameras: FF450plus, VisuCam nm
  • Retina tomograph: HRT3
  • Optical coherence tomograph: OCT Spectralis
  • Optical coherence tomography angiography: Optovue RTVue XR OCT Avanti
  • Optical biometry: IOLMaster 700
  • Ultra-wide-angle scanner with autofluorescence: CLARUS 500, Centervue Eidon AF
  • Adaptive optics: rtx1

Functional diagnostics

  • Perimeter: HFA 750
  • Vessel analysis: Static/Dynamic Vessel Analyzer (DVA-Research)
  • Retinal metabolism: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM)
 

Application / research examples

TU Ilmenau
Figure 3: Scientific studies on new diagnostic strategies (fluorescence lifetime imaging)

Doctors, engineers and physicists work together on an interdisciplinary basis in the ophthalmology laboratory. The scientific studies carried out here serve to improve research into important eye diseases and to link various diagnostic technologies as part of research projects such as ThIMEDOP - Innovation Centre for Thuringian Medical Technology Solutions (diagnosis, therapy - optimization through optical technologies) and other projects. Figure 3 shows a laser-based analysis of the retina.

Another focus of the use of the ophthalmology laboratory is teaching. The equipment is used for the practical training of students in seminars and practical courses. The research-oriented training at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science also includes the involvement of students in current research projects. The laboratory's equipment is therefore used by students in the context of activities for student assistants, advanced seminars, design projects in the ophthalmic technology elective module of the Master's degree course and in Master's theses.