In periorbital tumour surgery there is a need of intra-operative methods of measuring the extent of the tumour in tissue. Furthermore, if the eyelid must be reconstructed and its function is failing, the eye will dry out, leading to damage of the cornea, which is painful and may have catastrophic consequences for the eye and the patient's sight.

The aim of this project is to develop an optical imaging technique based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to measure the extent of infiltration of tumours as well as to study blood flow, function and composition of periorbital tissue. By extending the commonly used wavelength range of 500 to 1000 nm to include the range of 1000 to 1600 nm, the accuracy of the measurements is likely to improve, which might make it possible to get access to more detailed information on the composition of the tissue. In clinical practice, the additional characterization could make it easier to carry out tissue-saving tumour excision with safe margins, perform simpler and less invasive reconstructions following tumour removal and thereby improve the results of surgery and reduce suffering for the patients.