A

3.5
reflectance, %
3.0
Fig. 1. ( A) a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-

2.5
old white female recorded with the InGaAs
spectrometer. The calculated precorneal tear film
thickness was 2.62 μm. The solid line is measured
reflectance as a function of wave number 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1
(1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted wave number, µm -1
sloping baseline. (B) the solid line is the preconeal
B

7
tear film thickness averaged for four recordings of
rapid thinning, in which the thickness were

thickness, µm
measured for the full 20-second recording period.

6
Dotted line is the fitted linearity.

5
4
3

0 5 15 20 25
time, s
Fig. 2. Images of the precorneal tear film (22-year-old Asian female). (A) Broadband image showing interference
pattern from the lipid layer. (B) Narrowband image showing full-thickness fringes superimposed on the lipid
pattern. (C) and (D) full-thickness fringes with minimal interference from the lipid layer pattern with the subtract
of narrowband image over broadband image at different ratio.
Fig. 2. Images of the precorneal tear film (22-year-old Asian female). (A) Broadband image showing interference
pattern from the lipid layer. (B) Narrowband image showing full-thickness fringes superimposed on the lipid
pattern. (C) and (D) full-thickness fringes with minimal interference from the lipid layer pattern with the subtract
of narrowband image over broadband image at different ratio.
A B

C D
A B

B D
 Fig. 1

Citation
P. Ewen King-Smith, Barbara A. Fink, Jason J. Nichols, Kelly K. Nichols, Richard M. Hill, "Interferometric imaging of the full thickness of
the precorneal tear film," J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 23, 2097-2104 (2006);
https://www.osapublishing.org/josaa/abstract.cfm?uri=josaa-23-9-2097

Image © 2006 Optical Society of America and may be used for noncommercial purposes only. Report a copyright concern regarding this image.
 Cube beam
Collimator splitter
Fiber coupler 2D scanning
Swept laser mirror
Relaying lens 1
Focusing lens
Collimator Camera
Focusing lens
Photodetector Relaying lens 2
Photodetector Focusing lens
Objective 1
Beam Splitter
DAQ Hot Mirror
eter White Light Source

computer Objective 2
Eye

Lens

(a) Mirror
Broad Light Source

F OCT Collimator
jective OCT Signal Reference
Objective Objective
Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
2D Scanning
acquisition.
Mirror
Beam Splitter Cube
 Collimator Beam splitter
2D scanning
Swept laser Fiber coupler
mirror

Focusing lens Relaying lens 1

Collimator
Photodetector 1 Photodetector 2 Camera
Beam splitter
Relaying lens 2
Focusing lens Focusing lens
Objective 1
Thickness standard Beam splitter
Hot mirror White Light Source

DAQ Objective 2
Eye
computer

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Mirror
Beam
Collimator Splitter 1
2D scanning
Broad Band Laser mirror
Focusing Relaying
lens lens 1 Area Camera

Relaying Focusing lens

lens 2 Collimator
Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Splitter 3 Thermal Light
Beam splitter 2
Focusing Imaging lens
lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera 2

Objective 2

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Spectrometer Broad Light Source

Camera

Lens

Beam
White Light Source Splitter Mirror

TDF OCT Collimator

Objective OCT Signal Reference
Objective Objective

Hot Mirror 2D Scanning

Mirror
Beam Splitter Cube
Eye

(a) (b)
Fig. 2. schematic setup of the integrated TDF and OCT system. Light path of the TDF system is detailed in green&purple color, while OCT in red color.
 Cube beam
Collimator splitter
Fiber coupler 2D scanning
Swept laser mirror

Focusing lens Relaying lens 1

Collimator
Focusing lens
Photodetector
Relaying lens 2
Photodetector

Objective
DAQ

computer

(a)
Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Screening&E
nrollment
(n=60, 20 per group)

Clinical examination
• Ocular surface disease index and medical history
• Osomolarity
• Meibography (in-vivo microscopy of the meibomain glands)
• Fluorescence Breakup test
• etc

Experiment with
interferometric
imaging
• Tear film thinning rate and distribution
• Initial/final tear film thickness and distribution
• Breakup, distribution of dry spot
 Fig. 1

Citation
P. Ewen King-Smith, Barbara A. Fink, Jason J. Nichols, Kelly K. Nichols, Richard M. Hill, "Interferometric imaging of the full thickness of
the precorneal tear film," J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 23, 2097-2104 (2006);
https://www.osapublishing.org/josaa/abstract.cfm?uri=josaa-23-9-2097

Image © 2006 Optical Society of America and may be used for noncommercial purposes only. Report a copyright concern regarding this image.
Fig. 2. ( A) a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-old white female recorded with the InGaAs spectrometer. The
calculated precorneal tear film thickness was 2.62 μm. The solid line is measured reflectance as a function of wave
number (1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted sloping baseline. (B) the solid line is the preconeal tear film
thickness averaged for four recordings of rapid thinning, in which the thickness were measured for the full 20-second
recording period. Dotted line is the fitted linearity.
 3.5
reflectance, %
3.0

reflectance, %
2.5

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1

wave number, µm -1

0 5 15 20
time, s

( A) a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-old white female recorded with the InGaAs spectrometer. The calculated
precorneal tear film thickness was 2.62 μm. The solid line is measured reflectance as a function of wave number
(1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted sloping baseline. (B) the solid line is the preconeal tear film thickness
averaged for four recordings of rapid thinning, in which the thickness were measured for the full 20-second recording
period. Dotted line is the fitted linearity.
 3.5
reflectance, %
3.0
2.5

reflectance, %
0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1
wave number, µm -1

0 5 15 20
time, s
( A) a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-old white female recorded with the InGaAs spectrometer. The calculated
precorneal tear film thickness was 2.62 μm. The solid line is measured reflectance as a function of wave number
(1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted sloping baseline. (B) the solid line is the preconeal tear film thickness
averaged for four recordings of rapid thinning, in which the thickness were measured for the full 20-second recording
period. Dotted line is the fitted linearity.
 Processing of a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-old white female recorded with the InGaAs spectrometer. The
calculated precorneal tear film thickness was 2.62 μm. (A) The solid line is measured reflectance as a function of wave
number (1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted sloping baseline (Equation 7). (B) Reflectance divided by the
sloping baseline in (A). Solid black line corresponds to measured value. Blue curve (partly obscured by the magenta curve)
gives fitted reflectance based on Gaussian decay of amplitude reflectance from the posterior tear surface (Equation 8).
The magenta curve gives fitted reflectance based on exponential decay of amplitude reflectance from the posterior tear
surface (Equation 9). (C) Blue and magenta solid curves show in-phase amplitude reflectance of the posterior tear surface
for Gaussian and exponential decay models, respectively. Dashed curves show corresponding amplitude reflectance. (D)
Extrapolation of (C) to zero wave number.
 Spectrophotometer

Lens

Beam
Light Source Splitter

Lens

Eye

Fig. 1. ( A) a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-old white female recorded with the InGaAs spectrometer. The calculated

(a)
precorneal tear film thickness was 2.62 μm. The solid line is measured reflectance as a function of wave number
(1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted sloping baseline. (B) the solid line is the preconeal tear film thickness
averaged for four recordings of rapid thinning, in which the thickness were measured for the full 20-second recording period.
Dotted line is the fitted linearity.

Fig. 2. schematic setup of the integrated TDF and OCT system. Light path of the TDF system is detailed in green&purple color, while OCT in red color.
 B

3.5
reflectance, %
A Spectrometer

3.0
Lens

2.5
C

7
Beam
Light Source 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1

thickness, µm
Splitter
wave number, µm -1

6
Lens
5
Eye
4
3

0 5 15 20 25
time, s
 B

3.5
reflectance, %
Spectrometer

3.0
Lens

2.5
C

7
Beam
Light Source 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1

thickness, µm
Splitter
wave number, µm -1

6
Lens

5
Eye 4
3

0 5 15 20 25
time, s
Fig. 1. ( A) a reflectance spectrum from a 25-year-
old white female recorded with the InGaAs
spectrometer. The calculated precorneal tear film
thickness was 2.62 μm. The solid line is measured
reflectance as a function of wave number
(1/wavelength), and the dashed line is the fitted
sloping baseline. (B) the solid line is the preconeal
tear film thickness averaged for four recordings of
rapid thinning, in which the thickness were
measured for the full 20-second recording period.
Dotted line is the fitted linearity.

7
B C
3.5

thickness, µm
6
reflectance, %
3.0

5
4
2.5

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 0 5 15 20 25

wave number, µm -1
time, s
 Spectrometer Broad Light Source

Camera

Lens

Beam
Light Source Splitter Mirror

TDF OCT Collimator

Objective OCT Signal Reference
Objective Objective

Hot Mirror 2D Scanning

Mirror
Beam Splitter Cube
Eye

(a) (b)

Fig. 2. schematic setup of the integrated TDF and OCT system. Light path of the TDF system is detailed in green&purple color, while OCT in red color.
A Video Camera

Lens

Beam Splitter
Light Source

An f/0.8 customized lens

Eye
 Video Camera

Lens

Beam Splitter
Light Source

An f/0.8 customized lens

Eye
 A C
B

0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

wave number, µm -1
 Proposal: weakness in spectral bandwidth

Tear film reflectance, %

3.5
3.0
2.5

0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1

Wave number, 1/µm

 A C

0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

wave number, µm -1
 A

0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

wave number, µm -1
 A

reflectance, %
B

0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

wave number, µm -1
 Beam Beam
Collimator Splitter 1 Splitter 2
2D scanning
Broadband Laser mirror
Focusing Focusing Relaying
lens lens lens 1 Area Camera
Collimator
Grating 1
Relaying Focusing lens
lens 2 Collimator
Focusing Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Splitter 4 Ordinary Light
lens
Beam splitter 3
Line Scan Camera 1 Imaging lens
Focusing
lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera 2

Objective 2

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Beam Beam
Splitter 1 Splitter 2
2D scanning
Broadband Laser mirror
Collimator Focusing Focusing Relaying
lens lens lens 1 Area Camera
Collimator
Grating 1
Relaying Focusing lens
lens 2 Collimator
Focusing Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Splitter 4 Ordinary Light
lens
Beam splitter 3
Line Scan Camera 1 Imaging lens
Focusing
lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera 2

Objective 2

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Beam Beam
Axicon-pair Splitter 1 Splitter 2
2D scanning
Broadband Laser mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Focusing
lens lens 1 Area Camera
Collimator lens
Grating 1
Relaying Focusing lens
lens 2 Collimator
Focusing Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Splitter 4 Ordinary Light
lens
Beam splitter 3
Line Scan Camera 1 Imaging lens
Focusing
lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera 2

Objective 2

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Beam Beam
Axicon-pair Splitter 1 Splitter 2
2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Focusing
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera
Collimator Lens
Grating 1
Relaying Focusing Lens
Lens 2 Beam Splitter 3
Focusing Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Lens Splitter 4
Lamp
Collimator
Line Scan Camera 1 Imaging Lens
Focusing
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera 2

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Beam Beam
Axicon-pair Splitter 1 Splitter 2
2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Focusing
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera
Collimator Lens
Grating 1
Relaying Focusing Lens
Lens 2 Beam Splitter 3
Focusing Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Lens Splitter 4
Lamp
Collimator
Line Scan Camera 1 Imaging Lens
Focusing
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera 2

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Axicon-pair Beam
Splitter 2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera

Relaying Focusing Lens

Lens 2 Beam Splitter
Beam
Grating Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Splitter
Lamp
Collimator
Focusing Imaging Lens
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Mirror

Axicon-pair Beam
Splitter 2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera

Relaying Focusing Lens

Lens 2 Beam Splitter
Beam
Grating Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Splitter
Lamp
Collimator
Focusing Imaging Lens
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Axicon-pair Beam
Splitter 2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera

Relaying Focusing Lens

Lens 2 Beam Splitter
Beam
Grating Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Splitter
Lamp
Collimator
Focusing Imaging Lens
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Axicon-pair Beam
Splitter 2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera

Relaying Focusing Lens

Lens 2 Beam Splitter
Beam
Grating Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Splitter
Lamp
Collimator
Focusing Imaging Lens
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 Axicon-pair Beam
Splitter 2D scanning
Broadband Laser Mirror
Collimator Focusing Relaying
Lens Lens 1 Area Camera

Relaying Focusing Lens

Lens 2 Beam Splitter
Beam
Grating 2 Collimator Tungsten-halogen
Splitter
Lamp
Collimator
Focusing Imaging Lens
Lens
Eye
Line Scan Camera

Fig. 3. The schematic layout of the interferometric system. The signal from the photodetector is amplified before
acquisition.
 A The measured spectra of TFLL
(Solid line) B
The simulated curve of TFLL
(Broken line)
4
Intensity (a.u.)

The measured spectra of PCTF

The simulated curve of PCTF (Broken line) (Solid line)
2

0
1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2
Wavenumber, 1/nm x10-3