March 3, 2026

Using Near Infrared Light to Detect Hypoxia in Retinal Images

Key Points

NIR retinal imaging is ineffective for accurate hypoxia detection within a ±4% error margin.
The primary issue arises from low contrast of blood vessels and imaging repeatability challenges.
Assessment involving optical density ratio changes related to varying SpO2 reveals significant distortion effects.
These findings suggest the need for alternative methods to improve hypoxia detection in retinal imaging.

Abstract

NIR retinal imaging appears to be unsuitable for accurate hypoxia detection within an acceptable ±4% error margin using our imaging protocol. This is mainly due to the low contrast of blood vessels in the NIR wavelength region, along with limited imaging repeatability resulting from realignment and refocusing steps in the imaging protocol. These factors have a larger distorting effect on the images than the subtle OD ratio changes related to varying Spo2. Bekkers A, Zoutenbier V, Bussink P, Groen E, Kuijf H, Amelink A. Using near infrared light to detect hypoxia in retinal images. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(2):111-115.

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Cite This Study

Bekkers et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a75c13c6e9836116a2481f https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3357/amhp.6789.2026

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