Purpose.To develop a model eye to study laser-tissue interactions during retinal imaging with scanning ophthalmoscopy.Methods.A model eye was designed to match the optical properties of the human eye based on the Bennett and Rabbetts schematic eye.Results.Alterations in axial length resulted in changes in refractive error similar to those in the human eye (3.70 D for 1 mm in axial length). Perfusion-fixed retinal tissue could be successfully imaged using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and Optical Coherence Tomograph to provide images that are similar in quality to those obtainedin vivo.Conclusions.The model eye should be a valuable tool for investigating laser-tissue interactions during scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and the derivation of digital retinal and tomographic images. This model should also enable a determination of the accuracy with which digital imaging techniques, such as the optical coherence tomograph and Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, measure retinal structure.