Hybrid tracking system for retinal photocoagulation prototype II.

: Laser photocoagulation has been employed extensively by ophthalmologists to treat retinal diseases and disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal tears. Treatment is a manual task requiring the physician to carefully place therapeutic lesions on the retina while avoiding critical vision anatomy. We have developed a hybrid tracking system using two retinal tracking modalities: a digital imaging-based subsystem and an analog tracking subsystem to stabilize the irradiating laser on the retina. We have also investigated a lesion parameter control subsystem to provide uniform therapeutic lesions.