Trans-pars-planar illumination enables 200° ultra-wide field pediatric fundus photography for easy examination of the retina

Abstract: This study is to test the feasibility of using trans-pars-planar illumination for ultrawide field pediatric fundus photography. Fundus examination of the peripheral retina is essential for clinical management of pediatric eye diseases. However, current pediatric fundus cameras with traditional trans-pupillary illumination provide a limited field of view (FOV), making it difficult to access the peripheral retina adequately for a comprehensive assessment of eye conditions. Here, we report the first demonstration of trans-pars-planar illumination in ultra-wide field pediatric fundus photography. For proof-of-concept validation, all off-the-shelf optical components were selected to construct a lab prototype pediatric camera (PedCam). By freeing the entire pupil for imaging purpose only, the trans-pars-planar illumination enables a 200o FOV in a snapshot fundus image, allowing easy visualization of both the central and peripheral retina up to the ora serrata. A low-cost, easy-to-use ultra-wide field PedCam provides a unique opportunity to foster affordable telemedicine in rural and underserved areas.