3. Autofluorescence
Some materials contain a naturally
autofluorescent component that can be
visualised when excited with a light of
particular wavelength
5. RPE and lipofuscin
RPE constitutes a monolayer of
polygonal cells between the
choroid and neuro-sensory
retina
Multiple functions
RPE dysfunction implicated in
variety of retinal diseases
LF is a byproduct of
accumulation of sheded outer
segments of the photoreceptors
6. Lipofuscin accumulates as a byproduct
of phagocytosis of photoreceptors’ outer
segment
In advanced age: It may occupy 20% of
free cytoplasmic space of RPE cells
The older we grow the more we glow
7. lipofuscin
WHY IS IT DANGEROUS ?
A2-E (N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanol-
amine) the dominant fluorophore possess
toxic properties
Interferes with the normal cell function
Precursors of A2-E are also toxic
Products of photo-oxidation of RPE
lipofuscin serves as trigger for
complement activation inflammation
9. Fundus autofluorescence
Metabolically mapping the RPE
Developed as a tool to evaluate the RPE
during aging and ocular disease
Andrea von Ruckmann, Fredrick W. Fitzke and Alan C. Bird- Moorfield’s
eye hospital
10. Scanning Laser
Ophthalmoscope
Webb and co-workers
55° of field in one frame
Low power laser source
Scan in x and y axis
Confocality ensures that light fluorescence
and reflectance is derived from same ocular
plane
HRA2: Excitation 488nm
Emitted light above 500nm
12. FAF image acquisition
Align the camera using the IR
illumination.
Spectralis HRA+OCT only: Once you
see a sharp well-focused image,
change to Redfree illumination to fine-
tune focus.
Change to the FA illumination. The
image will now be considerably darker.
Automatic (recommended!) or
manual (Spectralis HRA+OCT only)
sensitivity control will outline the
retinal blood vessels.
Turn
or
automatic
13. FAF image acquisition – Mean
function
Activate the ART (Automatic Real
Time) Mean function to generate a ‘live
Mean’ Autofluorescence image online
and view it as it is created.
Note: Following the injection of
fluorescein dye, it will be impossible to
perform FAF imaging.
Press
14. Normal Autofluorescence
distribution
Optic nerve head
Absence of
autofluorescent pigment
Retinal blood vessels
Absorption by blood
vessels
Foveal area
Absorption by luteal
pigment
Parafoveal area
Mildly decreased
intensity due to high
melanin content and
lower density of
lipofuscin granules in
central RPE
15. In disease state
Excessive accumulation of lipofuscin in
the lysosomal compartment of the RPE
is the downstream process in many
hereditary and age related diseases
16.
17. AF and ARMD- Basic
Considerations
RPE is thought to play a key role in the
early and late phases of the disease
Hallmark of aging is the accumulation of
lipofuscin granules in the cytoplasm of
the RPE cells
Lipofuscin accumulation is the common
downstream process
18. Ability to document spatial distribution of
lipofuscin and its changes over time.
The amount of autofluorescence is signature for
previous or possible future oxidative injury
Hyperfluorescence in FAF FA 36 sec FA 69 sec
19. Geographic Atrophy
Seen as hypo-
autofluorescent areas
No RPE, NO
LIPOFUSCIN NO
AUTOFLUORESCENCE
Measure the atrophic
area to see for the
progression
20. Geographic atrophy
Identification of peri-lesional abnormalities
Hyperautofl signals bordering denote sick
RPE
The damage marches in areas of high signals
Predictor of future trouble
21. Pigment Epithelial Detachment
Serous PED:
Increased FAF signal
corresponding to area of
detachmet
Underlying CNVM: No
specific findings
Surrounding area: Hypo AF
signal
22. Choroidal
neovascularization
Irregular FAF in areas of CNV
High FAF outside the edge of the
lesion
FAF intensity decreased over the
disciform scars
In early stages, preservation of
FAF
Extent of abnormal areas on FAF
is more than that on FA
24. CSR
Leaks at the level of RPE
leading to central serous
detachment
Chronic disease associated
with atrophic changes at the
level of RPE and retina
FA and ICG – hemodynamics
and fluid dynamics
OCT- clues to size and
elevation of detachment
Autofluorescence- functional
status
27. Macular dystrophies-
Stargradt’s disease
Areas of atrophy on fundus
corresponded to hypo-
autofluorescence
Flecks seen as
depigmented lesion
appeared as areas of hypo-
autofl
Predictive value is yet to be
determined
28. Macular dystrophies: Best’s
disease
Autofl characters: central round
area of increased FAF
Pseudohypopyon stage:
increased FAF in the lower part
Late stages: irregular FAF
within the lesion with
disseminated spots of
increased FAF
29. Macular dystrophies: Best’s
disease
Pattern of spread on FAF: centrifugal
Atrophic regions are associated with low
levels of background FAF, lower visual
acuity, abnormal colour vision, central
scotomas and poorer
electrophysiological results
FAF appears more striking and
widespread
Spoke like, diffuse or combination
30. X-linked retinoschisis
FAF finding reflect typical radiating
cystic changes
The changes on FAF are most likely due
to altered passage of exciting and
emitted light from the retinal folds
31. Retinitis Pigmentosa
In dominant and recessive
and rod-cone dystrophies
Absent FAF in areas of outer
retinal atrophy
Normal FAF in adjacent
regions of surviving retina
High FAF in surviving areas in
some cases
Macular oedema of more than
4 months high FAF
32. Retinitis Pigmentosa
Parafoveal ring of increased FAF
Correlation exists between these areas
of high FAF and photopic and scotopic
sensitivity
33. Serpigenous Choroiditis
In SC: Autofluorescence is
detected within 2-5 days
after the appearance of
lesion
Provides a clear
delineation of the area of
RPE damage
Progressive decrease in
autofluorescence was seen
during the scarring phase
35. Macular Hole
Bright fluorescence of macular holes
similar to images on FA
Pseudoholes: no such high
autofluorescence
Attached operculum shows focal
decreased autofluorescence
37. VKH
Hypo AF in the areas of serous
detachments
NIR AF: hyper AF at the macula and
hypo AF in the areas of serous
detachment
With treatment: BL-FAF: subtle FAF
NIR FAF: more wide spread FAF
39. Applications for therapeutic
interventions
In advanced atrophic AMD: useful to
develop and assess the therapeutic
interventions
Fenritidine, an oral medicine shown to
reduce the production of toxic fluophores
In retinal dystrophies: useful to assess
the functional preservation of the outer
retina
In Leber’s: normal or slightly reduced FAF
40. RPE FAF & therapeutic
outcome
The RPE-FAF of exudative AMD lesions varies
greatly.
FAF differences have a great influence on the
chances of antivascular endothelial growth factor
(VEGF) therapy success.
Development of visual acuity is less favorable in
eyes with initially increased central FAF.
Heimes et al. - Foveal RPE FAF as a prognostic factor for anti-VEGF therapy in exudative AMD - GraefesArch 2008
41. CONCLUSION
Non invasive ,Easy to perform
Provides a novel prognostic marker for
disease progression
Metabolic changes and loss of RPE
integrity corresponds to visual function
In combination with SD OCT it adds to
our understanding of retinal diseases
from a broad point of view.
Ability to visualize the biochemistry and look into the RPE cells
Classification abnormal autofluorescence patterns in early age-related macular disease with fundus
photography and autofluorescence images introduced by Bindewald et al.12 Eight phenotypic patterns are
differentiated: NORMAL (A, B) -- homogenous background FAF and a gradual decrease in the inner macula toward
the fovea due to the masking effect of macular pigment. Only small hard drusen are visible in the corresponding
fundus photograph. MINIMAL CHANGE (C, D) -- only minimal variations from normal background FAF. There is
limited irregular increase or decrease in FAF intensity due to multiple small hard drusen. FOCAL (E, F ) -- several well definied
spots with markedly increased FAF. Fundus photograph of the same eye with multiple including hard and soft
drusen. PATCHY (G, H) -- multiple large areas (O200 mm diameter) of increased FAF corresponding to large, soft
drusen and/or hyperpigmentation on the fundus photograph LINEAR (I, J ) -- characterized by the presence of at least
one linear areas with markedly increased FAF. A corresponding hyperpigmented line is visible in the fundus
photograph. LACE-LIKE (K, L) -- multiple branching linear structures of increased FAF. This pattern may correspond
to hyperpigmentation on the fundus photograph or to no visible abnormalities. RETICULAR (M, N) -- multiple,
specific small areas of decreased FAF with brighter lines in-between. The reticular pattern not only occurs in the
macular area but is found more typically in a superotemporal location. There may be visible reticular drusen in the
corresponding fundus photograph. SPECKLED (O, P) -- variety of FAF abnormalities in a larger area of the FAF image.
There seem to be fewer pathologic areas in the corresponding fundus.
The RPE is blocked by membrane in classic
However, the pathobiology of many findings in
central serous chorioretinopathy has remained elusive,
because of our inability to image physiologic changes
induced by the disease. Autofluorescence photography
provides functional images of the fundus by employing
the stimulated emission of light from naturally occurring
fluorophores, the most significant being lipofuscin. In the
case of retinal pigment epithelial cells, the buildup of
lipofuscin is related in large part to the phagocytosis of
photoreceptor outer segments containing damage accumulated
through use, and indigestible altered molecules
are retained within lysosomes and eventually become
lipofuscin.
NIR-Near infra red
BL-Blue light
but other retinal fluorophores that may occur
in pathological conditions such as fluid, hemorrhages,
or melanin deposition must be differentiated.