Optical and long wave holography: potential applications in ophthalmology.

The first part of this paper describes the process of optical holography, and discusses the possibilities and some of the merits of the application of optical holographic techniques in the field of ophthalmology, such as: 1. Holographic observation of the eye and the light-path through the cornea and the lens, leading to the evaluation of the optical constants of the eye. 2. Holographic interferometric measurements of the configuration changes which accompany accommodation or changes in the intra-ocular pressure. 3. Three-dimensional observations of the fundus. The second part of the paper is devoted to long wave holography, which has attained special attention in electromagnetic (non-optic) and ultrasonic wave propagation. Although these two forms of wave propagation differ in their physical properties, there are many similarities in their signal processing techniques, the collection of wave fronts emerging from the object, and in the visualization of images.