Panretinal, high-resolution color photography of the mouse fundus

PURPOSE. To analyze high-resolution color photographs of the mouse fundus. METHODS. A contact fundus camera based on topical endoscopy fundus imaging (TEFI) was built. Fundus photographs of C57 and Balb/c mice obtained by TEFI were qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS. High-resolution digital imaging of the fundus, including the ciliary body, was routinely obtained. The reflectance and contrast of retinal vessels varied significantly with the amount of incident and reflected light and, thus, with the degree of fundus pigmentation. The combination of chromatic and spherical aberration favored blue light imaging, in term of both field and contrast. CONCLUSIONS. TEFI is a small, low-cost system that allows high-resolution color fundus imaging and fluorescein angiography in conscious mice. Panretinal imaging is facilitated by the presence of the large rounded lens. TEFI significantly improves the quality of in vivo photography of retina and ciliary process of mice. Resolution is, however, affected by chromatic aberration, and should be improved by monochromatic imaging.