Purpose: Adaptive optics (AO) is an opto-electronic technique improving lateral resolution of fundus images. Here we report a novel application of AO imaging, namely the visualization of the arteriolar wall in the human retina.

Methods: This study was done in compliance with French ethical regulations. AO fundus imaging was performed using a prototypic camera (RTX1, ImagineEye, Orsay, France) in a cohort of healthy subjects and in patients affected by arterial hypertension. The camera uses infrared light, and the total acquisition time is less than 1 minute. The wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) was measured in an arteriolar segment approximately 500 microns from the disc.

Results: 12 healthy subjects, 2 hypertensive patients and 1 patient affected by branch retinal vein occlusion were examined. The wall-to-lumen ratio varied from 11 to 15% in healthy eyes, and was 18% and 19% in the two hypertensive subjects. In the subject that had branch retinal vein occlusion, irregular thickening of the vessel wall was found.

Conclusions: We provide here the first in vivo images of the arteriolar wall in humans. This technique may be useful for the quantitative assessment of microvascular damage in aged and/or hypertensive patients.

Funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (TecSan 09-009)