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A Device for Continuous Monitoring of True Central Fixation Based on Foveal Birefringence

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Abstract

A device for continuous monitoring of central fixation utilizes birefringence, the property of the Henle fibers surrounding the human fovea, to change the polarization state of light. A circular scan of retinal birefringence, where the scanning circle encompasses the fovea, allows identification of true central fixation—an assessment much needed in various applications in ophthalmology, psychology, and psychiatry. The device allows continuous monitoring for central fixation over an extended period of time in the presence of fixation targets and distracting stimuli, which may be helpful in detecting attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and other disorders characterized by changes in the subject’s ability to maintain fixation. A proof-of-concept has been obtained in a small study of ADHD patients and normal control subjects.

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Acknowledgments

This research supported in part by gifts from grateful patients, with major contributions from Diane and Robert Levy of Chicago. The authors thank the Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute and especially Hee-Jung Park, M.D. and Alex Christoff, C.O., C.O.T, for providing the test subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Wilmer 233, 600 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Boris Gramatikov, Kristina Irsch, Marie Müllenbroich, Nicole Frindt, Yinhong Qu, Ron Gutmark, Yi-Kai Wu & David Guyton

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  1. Boris Gramatikov
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  2. Kristina Irsch
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  3. Marie Müllenbroich
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Correspondence to Boris Gramatikov.

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Associate Editor James Tunnell oversaw the review of this article.

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Gramatikov, B., Irsch, K., Müllenbroich, M. et al. A Device for Continuous Monitoring of True Central Fixation Based on Foveal Birefringence. Ann Biomed Eng 41, 1968–1978 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-013-0818-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-013-0818-2

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