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What is the meaning of autofluorescence in retinal diseases?
Author(s) -
Kaarniranta K.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.01574
Subject(s) - autofluorescence , fluorophore , fluorescence , lipofuscin , visible spectrum , retinal , photochemistry , wavelength , ultraviolet , excited state , infrared , chemistry , optics , materials science , optoelectronics , physics , biochemistry , atomic physics
Summary The fluorophore is fluorescent chemical compound that absorbs light energy of a specific wavelength and re‐emits light at a longer wavelength. The absorbed wavelengths, energy transfer efficiency, and time before emission depend on both the fluorophore structure and its chemical environment, as the molecule in its excited state interacts with surrounding molecules. Excitation energies range from ultraviolet through the visible spectrum, and emission energies may continue from visible light into the near infrared region. Recently, fundus autofluorescence ( FAF ) imaging has got more role in retinal diagnosis. FAF imaging is a quick and non‐invasive method. It provides information also from inside of the cells ( RPE cells). For example lysosomal lipofuscin is highly autofluorescent compound. FAF is useful for monitoring disease progression, estimate age of lesions or severity level. However, FAF imaging is unspecific and observations must be combined with other diagnostic methods. In this course we discuss benefits and limitations of FAF in retinal diseases.