See The Future: Exploring cutting edge retinal diagnostic technology

In the UK, 2.5 million people are living with sight loss. For a significant portion of this number, sight loss is caused by disease-induced damage to the retina, the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. Clinicians and scientists have long relied on optical imaging techniques to diagnose, monitor and study retinal diseases. However, it is very challenging to acquire high-resolution images of the retina, since light must travel through the biological tissues of the eye before reaching a detector, causing significant signal attenuation and image distortion. In this talk, I will describe technological advances that have made high-resolution imaging of the retina possible and how this has helped to further our understanding of retinal diseases.

Life evolved and was sculpted over billions of years under broad spectrum sunlight, from ultraviolet to infrared (300-2500nm). Fires and old incandescent lightbulbs had similar spectra. But, around the year 2000, light bulbs were exchanged for economic LEDs that have restricted spectra dominant in blue with no infrared (380-660nm). This spectral shift in the built environment has physiological consequence. Infrared is key in maintaining metabolism while blue light undermines metabolism and health spans. Populations studies show reduced metabolism and higher disease incidents in those working under LED compared to sun light. Introduction of infrared light results in improved metabolism and function. Time to change the light bulbs?