This paper presents the first in vivo tomograms of the human retina obtained using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT). The authors demonstrate that FDOCT is as powerful as other optical coherence tomography (OCT) techniques in ophthalmic imaging. The method, experimental setup, data processing, and images are discussed. FDOCT is a promising technique for assessing functional parameters due to its direct access to spectral information. The paper describes a modified version of the FDOCT method that allows for the avoidance of parasitic terms resulting from mutual interference of waves reflected at different object depths. This method enables the imaging of the morphology of the human retina and the provision of quantitative information about retinal layer thicknesses. The FDOCT instrument is capable of accessing depth information without any mechanical scanning parts. The interference pattern recorded by the CCD camera carries information about the distribution of reflecting layers in the object along the illuminating beam. The acquired data must be Fourier transformed to create an optical A scan. A two-dimensional reconstruction of a tissue volume is possible with additional transverse scanning of the illuminating beam. The interferometer, the main part of the FDOCT instrument, is based on an open air Michelson interferometer setup with a 50/50 cube beam-splitter. A superluminescent diode acts as a temporally low and spatially high coherent light source emitting at 810 nm. The detection unit consists of a diffraction grating and a cooled CCD camera. A helium-neon laser is used for beam adjustment and aiming. The losses at the spectrometer are approximately 20%. The lenses OL, L1, and L2 create an inverted beam expander system. The transverse point-spread function is approximately 30 μm. The optical power of the incident beam at the cornea is 130 μW, consistent with the ANSI recommended exposure limit. The transfer time between CCD and personal computer is much longer than the time required to collect the spectrum, causing several problems connected with eye movements. The model of CCD used in the FDOCT instrument is not equipped with a shutter, so any eye movement during the transfer time causes the spectral fringes to be blurred. To counter this, a sector rotating at 50 Hz was introduced to block the light for the image transfer time. After the transfer of the acquired spectra to a personal computer, data are processed and visualized by software written in LabView. The paper discusses the basic principles of Fourier domain OCT, which is based on spectral interferometry. The technique involves the interference of broadband light waves registered by a spectrometer. The results show that the differential Fourier domain method (dFDOCT) effectively removes parasitic terms, providing images free of these terms. The dynamic range of the FDOCT system is estimated to be 71 dB, which is competitive with other OCT techniques. The results demonstrate the potential ofThis paper presents the first in vivo tomograms of the human retina obtained using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT). The authors demonstrate that FDOCT is as powerful as other optical coherence tomography (OCT) techniques in ophthalmic imaging. The method, experimental setup, data processing, and images are discussed. FDOCT is a promising technique for assessing functional parameters due to its direct access to spectral information. The paper describes a modified version of the FDOCT method that allows for the avoidance of parasitic terms resulting from mutual interference of waves reflected at different object depths. This method enables the imaging of the morphology of the human retina and the provision of quantitative information about retinal layer thicknesses. The FDOCT instrument is capable of accessing depth information without any mechanical scanning parts. The interference pattern recorded by the CCD camera carries information about the distribution of reflecting layers in the object along the illuminating beam. The acquired data must be Fourier transformed to create an optical A scan. A two-dimensional reconstruction of a tissue volume is possible with additional transverse scanning of the illuminating beam. The interferometer, the main part of the FDOCT instrument, is based on an open air Michelson interferometer setup with a 50/50 cube beam-splitter. A superluminescent diode acts as a temporally low and spatially high coherent light source emitting at 810 nm. The detection unit consists of a diffraction grating and a cooled CCD camera. A helium-neon laser is used for beam adjustment and aiming. The losses at the spectrometer are approximately 20%. The lenses OL, L1, and L2 create an inverted beam expander system. The transverse point-spread function is approximately 30 μm. The optical power of the incident beam at the cornea is 130 μW, consistent with the ANSI recommended exposure limit. The transfer time between CCD and personal computer is much longer than the time required to collect the spectrum, causing several problems connected with eye movements. The model of CCD used in the FDOCT instrument is not equipped with a shutter, so any eye movement during the transfer time causes the spectral fringes to be blurred. To counter this, a sector rotating at 50 Hz was introduced to block the light for the image transfer time. After the transfer of the acquired spectra to a personal computer, data are processed and visualized by software written in LabView. The paper discusses the basic principles of Fourier domain OCT, which is based on spectral interferometry. The technique involves the interference of broadband light waves registered by a spectrometer. The results show that the differential Fourier domain method (dFDOCT) effectively removes parasitic terms, providing images free of these terms. The dynamic range of the FDOCT system is estimated to be 71 dB, which is competitive with other OCT techniques. The results demonstrate the potential of