Distribution of fundus autofluorescence with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope

BACKGROUND--Variation of fluorescence derived from lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium has been recorded with age and in retinal diseases. Studies have been based largely on in vitro observations on eye bank eyes which has placed severe limitations on the data available. METHODS--A techniqu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of ophthalmology 1995-05, Vol.79 (5), p.407-412
Main Authors: von Rückmann, A, Fitzke, F W, Bird, A C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Female
Fluorescence
Fundus Oculi
Humans
Investigative techniques of ocular function and vision
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Male
Medical sciences
Microscopy, Confocal
Middle Aged
Ophthalmoscopes
Retinal Diseases - pathology
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Summary:BACKGROUND--Variation of fluorescence derived from lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium has been recorded with age and in retinal diseases. Studies have been based largely on in vitro observations on eye bank eyes which has placed severe limitations on the data available. METHODS--A technique is described whereby in vivo imaging of autofluorescence of the fundus was achieved using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. RESULTS--The optical characteristics, distribution, and variation with disease imply that the fluorescence is derived from lipofuscin in the pigment epithelium. Autofluorescence is shown to be abnormally high in certain inherited diseases, and low in the presence of retinal atrophy. CONCLUSION--This technique may be useful both in clinical practice and research. It may allow the detection of the abnormal phenotype in genetically determined disease at a time when other techniques may not. Longitudinal studies of age related macular disease would permit correlation between changes in the pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane to be established.
ISSN:0007-1161
1468-2079
DOI:10.1136/bjo.79.5.407