Phase retrieval for studying the structure of vitreous floaters simulated in a model eye

Abstract

We simulate vitreous floaters in a model eye and apply a phase retrieval algorithm to recover the structure of the vitreous floaters. The algorithm requires modulating the object under study by a relatively small number of masks. The modulating masks are generated by a spatial light modulator. The retrieved phase of the vitreous floaters is compared to that measured with a surface profiler. It can be concluded that the phase of the vitreous floaters can be retrieved in presence of speckles, however, the high computational load is one of the most significant drawbacks of the algorithm. In order to apply the proposed method for real-time correction of the vitreous floaters, the speed of the algorithm must be increased and second-order tracking of the vitreous floaters must be ensured.