Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the influence of lens opacifications on fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO)
Methods :
Nine patients (mean age 70, SD ±8.8 years) before and after cataract surgery were included. For image acquisition, a fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscope with an excitation wavelength of 470 nm was used. Mean fluorescence lifetimes were recorded in a short (SSC, 498–560 nm), and a long (LSC, 560–720 nm) spectral channel. Retinal autofluorescence lifetimes were measured in subjects with clinically significant cataract before and after cataract surgery. Lens opacification was graded using the LOCS III grading scheme. Additionally, autofluorescence lifetime parameters of the crystalline and the artificial lenses were measured.
Results :
The mean fluorescence lifetime (Tm) of the retina decreased significantly after cataract surgery in both spectral channels. We measured 1058 ps (SD±479) versus 386 ps (SD±240) in the SSC (p=0.0019) and 635 ps (SD±240) versus 372 ps (SD±95) in the LSC (p= 0.002). The difference between fluorescence lifetimes before and after cataract surgery was more pronounced in the short spectral channel.
Conclusions :
Clinically relevant lens opacification results in significantly longer mean fluorescence lifetimes of the retina. Therefore, the lens status has to be considered when performing cross-sectional fluorescence lifetime analysis. Cataract formation and cataract surgery needs to be taken into account when conducting long time follow-up studies.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.