Hyper-wide-angle fundus camera allowing wide field fundus photography

Fundus camera are used for early detection of frequent causes in Japan of blindness such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy. Although wider view angle is necessary for eye fundus imaging and examination, existing cameras currently used for medical examination have viewing angle of 60°which detects only part of eye fundus. There are difficulties in designing a lens for clear photography of a concave sphere such as the fundus, and projecting light through the lens to the fundus. Tamron has specifically designed and completed a prototype of hyper-wide-angle lens optimized for fundus photography. The lens was installed into near-infrared fundus camera developed by Nara Institute of Science and Technology and approximately 180° of hyper-wide viewing angle photographing was achieved. Without mydriatic (eye drop) used to dilate the pupils, a wide field of eye fundus image can be acquired.