Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess the correspondence between the abnormal fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and fundus photographs in the nonexudation age-related macular diseases(AMD).
Methods: :
The spatial distribution and intensity of FAF and colour fundus photographs pairs of 30 cases with 38 eyes AMD were recorded using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO,Heidelerg Retina Angiograph, HRA, Heidelberg, Germany) with excitation at 488nm (argon laser) , emission of above 500nm (barrier filter) and 30-degree field-of-view mode. Confocal detection unit used a small pinhole aperture (400um) to suppress light originating outside the focal plane. A standardized image was acquisited by alignment and a mean image were generated following automated alignment. Colour fundus photographs were obtained from Zeisis fundus camera.
Results: :
An irregular increased AF at the posterior pole were detected at baseline with six different patters: minimal change, focal increased, linear, lacelike, speckled and homogeneous AF in AMD. Another important features were the areas with abnormal increased or decreased AF signals may or may not have correlation to funduscopically visible alterations including of drusen, pigmental variety and geographic atrophy, especially at the extra-foveal areas. However, few of large, soft drusen at fovea really appeared to correspond well with the area of AF.
Conclusions: :
Various patterns of abnormal AF can be imaged clearly with cSLO. Assesemnt of the different patterns AF and its variety over time may prognose the progression of diseases and monitor the therapeutic interventions to nonexudative AMD. On the other hand, absence of the correspondence between the distribution of abnormal AF and ophthal- moscopic features may indicate that drusen and AF represent independent signs in the AMD and may reflect the mechanisms of AMD from different sides. Therefore, detection of AF is very useful and important in pathogeny, progress and results of diseases in AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • retinal pigment epithelium • aging