Authors: Carsten Framme; Johann Roider; Helmut G. Sachs; Ralf Brinkmann; Veit-Peter Gabel

Source: Current Medical Imaging Reviews, Volume 1, Number 1, January 2005 , pp. 89-103(15)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Non-invasive imaging of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) using autofluorescence became recently available with the introduction of confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopes. Fundus autofluorescence is usually excited at a wavelength of 488nm and the emitted light is detected above 500nm. This intrinsic autofluorescence was shown to derive from the lipofuscin accumulating within the RPE either with age or also due to different hereditary or degenerative diseases of the macula as e.g. age-related macular degeneration. Since a variety of macular diseases correlate with distinct RPE changes, specific patterns of autofluorescence could be evaluated within the recent years for diagnostic and prognostic reasons in those RPE-related diseases. Moreover autofluorescence can also be regarded as a monitoring tool after therapeutic applications as macular surgery or laser treatment. Other new applications try to determine macular pigment density using autofluorescence or use it to evaluate oxygen-dependent cell metabolism. This review summarizes the recent findings of autofluorescent patterns in specific diseases and therapeutic approaches and emphasizes on the tremendous potential of this novel imaging method.

Keywords: fundus autofluorescence; retinal pigment epithelium; rpe; lipofuscin; age-related macular degeneration; macular holes; laser photocoagulation; selective rpe laser treatment

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573405052952994

Affiliations: 1: University Eye Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.

Publication date: 2005-01-01

More about this publication?

• Current Medical Imaging Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on medical imaging. All relevant areas are covered by the journal, including advances in the diagnosis, instrumentation and therapeutic applications related to all modern medical imaging techniques.
  
  The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to research in the field. The journal is essential reading for all clinicians and researchers involved in medical imaging and diagnosis.

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