Human iris three-dimensional imaging at micron resolution by a micro-plenoptic camera.

A micro-plenoptic system was designed to capture the three-dimensional (3D) topography of the anterior iris surface by simple single-shot imaging. Within a depth-of-field of 2.4 mm, depth resolution of 10 mu m can be achieved with accuracy (systematic errors) and precision (random errors) below 20%. We demonstrated the application of our microplenoptic imaging system on two healthy irides, an iris with naevi, and an iris with melanoma. The ridges and folds, with height differences of 10 similar to 80 mu m, on the healthy irides can be effectively captured. The front surface on the iris naevi was flat, and the iris melanoma was 50 +/- 10 mu m higher than the surrounding iris. The micro-plenoptic imaging system has great potential to be utilized for iris disease diagnosis and continuing, simple monitoring. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America