  We describe the advantages of diffuse illumination in laser holography for
ophthalmology. The presence of a diffusing element introduces an angular
diversity of the optical radiation and reduces its spatial coherence, which
spreads out the energy distribution of the illumination beam in the focal plane
of the eyepiece. The field of view of digitally computed retinal images can
easily be increased as the eyepiece can be moved closer to the cornea to obtain
a Maxwellian view of the retina without compromising ocular safety. Compliance
with American and European safety standards for ophthalmic devices is more
easily obtained by preventing the presence of a laser hot spot observed in
front of the cornea in the absence of a scattering element. Diffuse laser
illumination does not introduce any adverse effects on digitally computed laser
Doppler images.
