In Vivo Imaging of the Mouse Retina Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Take an anesthetized genetically modified mouse exhibiting optic atrophy. 

The pupils are dilated for enhanced light penetration.

Administer anesthetic to immobilize the eyes. Apply drops for corneal hydration. Then, wrap the mouse in gauze to maintain body warmth. 

Apply gel to minimize light refraction. Secure the mouse in the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system cassette, ensuring proper head positioning. 

Align the optical axes of the right eye and the imaging lens. Use alignment controls to center the optic nerve head in the imaging field, ensuring proper retinal alignment.

Low-coherence light directed into the retina reflects off layers with varying refractive indices. The reflected light combines with a reference beam to generate interference patterns, creating a high-resolution cross-sectional image of the retina.

After imaging, allow the mouse to recover.

The OCT image analysis reveals the thickening of the ganglion cell complex layer, a hallmark of optic atrophy.