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Fundus autofluorescence imaging in dry AMD: 2014 Jules Gonin lecture of the Retina Research Foundation

  • Retinal Disorders
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Abstract

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging allows for topographic mapping of intrisnic fluorophores in the retinal pigment epithelial cell monolayer, as well as mapping of other fluorophores that may occur with disease in the outer retina and the sub-neurosensory space. FAF imaging provides information not obtainable with other imaging modalities. Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence images can also be obtained in vivo, and may be largely melanin-derived. FAF imaging has been shown to be useful in a wide spectrum of macular and retinal diseases. The scope of applications now includes identification of diseased RPE in macular/retinal diseases, elucidating pathophysiological mechanisms, identification of early disease stages, refined phenotyping, identification of prognostic markers for disease progression, monitoring disease progression in the context of both natural history and interventional therapeutic studies, and objective assessment of luteal pigment distribution and density as well as RPE melanin distribution. Here, we review the use of FAF imaging in various phenotypic manifestations of dry AMD.

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Conflict of interest

Frank G. Holz is a consultant for Acucela, Alcon, Allergan, Bayer HealthCare, Genentech, Heidelberg Engineering, Novartis, and Roche. He has received research funding from Alcon, Allergan, Bayer, Genentech, Heidelberg Engineering, Novartis, Optos, Roche and Carl Zeiss MediTec.

Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg is a consultant for Novartis. He has received research funding from Alcon, Allergan, Bayer, Genentech, Heidelberg Engineering, Merz Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Optos, Roche and Carl Zeiss MediTec.

Monika Fleckenstein is a consultant for Roche/Genentech. She has received research funding from Genentech, Heidelberg Engineering, Novartis, and Optos.

Julia S. Steinberg has no conflict of interest to declare.

Arno Göbel has received research funding from Carl Zeiss MediTec, Heidelberg Engineering, and Optos.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Str. 2, 53127, Bonn, Germany

    Frank G. Holz, Julia S. Steinberg, Arno Göbel, Monika Fleckenstein & Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg

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  1. Frank G. Holz
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  2. Julia S. Steinberg
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  3. Arno Göbel
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Correspondence to Frank G. Holz.

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Holz, F.G., Steinberg, J.S., Göbel, A. et al. Fundus autofluorescence imaging in dry AMD: 2014 Jules Gonin lecture of the Retina Research Foundation. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 253, 7–16 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2858-1

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