The objective of this study was to examine the properties of two laser lines 514 nm and 532 nm when used to image the retina with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), and to compare the images taken with a simultaneous multiple wavelength SLO, to those taken with a fundus camera. From this we concluded that the 514 nm line is the preferred line for visualising the nerve fibre layer whereas the 532 nm line is preferred for visualising retinal vessels. Based on these results the 532 nm laser light source was selected as the green line for imaging with the simultaneous colour SLO. Cases are presented where the colour SLO images contain more information than traditional digitised fundus photographs.