Vitreous fluorophotometer data analysis by deconvolution.

The measurement process in fluorophotometry inherently involves a loss of information due to the finite sampling volume of the instrument. Mathematically, the effect is expressed as a convolution of the actual fluorescein distribution with the spread function of the instrument. Scattering by the ocular media can increase the spread function over that due to the instrument alone. A method is proposed for deconvolution of vitreous fluorophotometry data. Simulation studies and analyses of patient data demonstrate recovery of information with this method, including enhancement of retinal peaks and resolution of detail in the posterior vitreous which was not apparent from the original scans.