An arrangement and method for determining the two-dimensional distribution
of fundus pigments, particularly of the xanthophyll macular pigment. The
arrangement for carrying out the method comprises an illumination unit
which illuminates the retina via an illumination beam path directed to
the ocular fundus, observation optics located in the observation beam
path proceeding from the ocular fundus, an image processing unit,
elements for beam deflection and a central controlling and evaluating
unit. In the method, a two-dimensional reflection image of the retina is
recorded in a selected narrow-band wavelength region. In evaluating this
two-dimensional reflection image, site-specific areas are established for
determining the optical density and comparison values. The optical
density of the fundus pigment at every fundus location is calculated from
the negative logarithmic value of the quotient of the intensity value of
the reflection image I.sub.R(.lamda.) at this fundus site to a comparison
intensity value of the reflection image I.sub.R(.lamda.)Comparison. The
suggested solution for the objective detection of the two-dimensional
distribution of the optical density of the macular pigment xanthophyll is
also suitable in principle for determining the distribution of other
fundus pigments.