Fundus autofluorescence imaging using red excitation light
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Fundus autofluorescence imaging using red excitation light. / Birtel, Johannes; Bauer, Tobias; Pauleikhoff, Laurenz; Rüber, Theodor; Gliem, Martin; Charbel Issa, Peter.
in: SCI REP-UK, Jahrgang 13, Nr. 1, 19.06.2023, S. 9916.Publikationen: SCORING: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift/Zeitung › SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz › Forschung › Begutachtung
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Fundus autofluorescence imaging using red excitation light
AU - Birtel, Johannes
AU - Bauer, Tobias
AU - Pauleikhoff, Laurenz
AU - Rüber, Theodor
AU - Gliem, Martin
AU - Charbel Issa, Peter
N1 - © 2023. The Author(s).
PY - 2023/6/19
Y1 - 2023/6/19
N2 - Retinal disease accounts significantly for visual impairment and blindness. An important role in the pathophysiology of retinal disease and aging is attributed to lipofuscin, a complex of fluorescent metabolites. Fundus autofluorescence (AF) imaging allows non-invasive mapping of lipofuscin and is a key technology to diagnose and monitor retinal disease. However, currently used short-wavelength (SW) excitation light has several limitations, including glare and discomfort during image acquisition, reduced image quality in case of lens opacities, limited visualization of the central retina, and potential retinal light toxicity. Here, we establish a novel imaging modality which uses red excitation light (R-AF) and overcomes these drawbacks. R-AF images are high-quality, high-contrast fundus images and image interpretation may build on clinical experience due to similar appearance of pathology as on SW-AF images. Additionally, R-AF images may uncover disease features that previously remained undetected. The R-AF signal increases with higher abundance of lipofuscin and does not depend on photopigment bleaching or on the amount of macular pigment. Improved patient comfort, limited effect of cataract on image quality, and lack of safety concerns qualify R-AF for routine clinical monitoring, e.g. for patients with age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, or for quantitative analysis of AF signal intensity.
AB - Retinal disease accounts significantly for visual impairment and blindness. An important role in the pathophysiology of retinal disease and aging is attributed to lipofuscin, a complex of fluorescent metabolites. Fundus autofluorescence (AF) imaging allows non-invasive mapping of lipofuscin and is a key technology to diagnose and monitor retinal disease. However, currently used short-wavelength (SW) excitation light has several limitations, including glare and discomfort during image acquisition, reduced image quality in case of lens opacities, limited visualization of the central retina, and potential retinal light toxicity. Here, we establish a novel imaging modality which uses red excitation light (R-AF) and overcomes these drawbacks. R-AF images are high-quality, high-contrast fundus images and image interpretation may build on clinical experience due to similar appearance of pathology as on SW-AF images. Additionally, R-AF images may uncover disease features that previously remained undetected. The R-AF signal increases with higher abundance of lipofuscin and does not depend on photopigment bleaching or on the amount of macular pigment. Improved patient comfort, limited effect of cataract on image quality, and lack of safety concerns qualify R-AF for routine clinical monitoring, e.g. for patients with age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, or for quantitative analysis of AF signal intensity.
KW - Humans
KW - Lipofuscin/metabolism
KW - Retinal Pigment Epithelium/metabolism
KW - Macular Degeneration/pathology
KW - Fundus Oculi
KW - Retinal Diseases/pathology
KW - Optical Imaging/methods
KW - Fluorescein Angiography/methods
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-023-36217-x
DO - 10.1038/s41598-023-36217-x
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 37336979
VL - 13
SP - 9916
JO - SCI REP-UK
JF - SCI REP-UK
SN - 2045-2322
IS - 1
ER -
