TOPOGRAPHY OF FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE USI NG A CONFOCAL SCANNING LASER OPHTHALMOSCOPE

Background: We investigated fundus autofluorescence in vivo using a no vel scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Materials and methods: A total of 5 50 patients with various retinal diseases were examined and compared w ith normal eyes. Autofluorescence was detected after excitation with a n argon blue laser (488 nm), and emission was recorded with a short wa velength cut off above 500 nm. Results: Reduced autofluorescence was o bserved in the foveal and parafoveal region due to retinal xanthophyll ,along the retinal vessels, at the optic nerve head and in areas with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Autofluorescence inte nsity was increased either focally or diffusely in certain degenerativ e (AMD) or genetically determined retinal diseases (e.g., Slargardt's disease, Best's disease). Conclusions: These findings are in accordanc e with the view that in vivo fundus aurofluorescence originates at the level of the RPE and suggest that it is derived from lipofuscin.