Abstract
Purpose: :
Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) reflects the overlying absorptive macular pigment or photopigment. FAF can be new applications to assess the density of photopigment. We reports FAF densitometry using HRA2.
Methods: :
Subjects were twenty healthy subjects and 9 patients with branch retinal vein or artery occlusion, 3 patients with macular hole (age range, 26-73 years). Serial images of FAF during bleaching the retina was taken with HRA2, 488nm emission light and >500nm excitation light. The retina was bleached by the illuminating light during the image acquisition. Intensity of FAF was measured by the computer software. The measurement was also performed in the area of macular hole and laser photocoagulation scars.
Results: :
Mean(±SD) ratio between fluorescence levels measured under dark-adapted and bleached conditions in the fovea was 0.252 ±0.106 in healthy subjects. The retio increased gradually with the eccentrisity. The fluorescence intensity did not change in macular hole and photocoagulation scars.
Conclusions: :
The ratio of FAF intensity was different on the retinal lesion. FAF densitometry is useful to evaluate the status of photopigment.
Keywords: photoreceptors • optical properties • ipofuscin