Mueller matrix retinal imager with optimized polarization conditions.

A new Mueller matrix polarimeter was used to image the retinas of normal subjects. Light from a linearly polarized 780 nm laser was passed through a system of variable retarders and scanned across the retina. Light returned from the eye passed through a second system of retarders and a polarizing beamsplitter to two confocal detection channels. Optimization of the polarimetric data reduction matrix was via a condition number metric. The accuracy and repeatability of polarization parameter measurements were within +/- 5%. The magnitudes and orientations of retardance and diattenuation, plus depolarization, were measured over 15 degrees of retina for 15 normal eyes.