SPECTRAL FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE EXCITATION AND EMISSION IN ABCA4-RELATED RETINOPATHY. Issue 12 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller, Philipp L.; Dysli, Chantal; Hess, Kristina; Holz, Frank G.; Herrmann, Philipp
• Is Part Of: Retina. Volume 40:Issue 12(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: EIDON -- hereditary dystrophy -- OCT -- retina -- Stargardt disease; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retinal Diseases; Vitreous Body; 617.735
• DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-004X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To systematically and longitudinally investigate the characteristics of flecks in ABCA4 -related retinopathy under different fundus autofluorescence (AF) excitation and emission spectra. Methods: A total of 132 eyes of 66 patients with ABCA4 -related retinopathy were investigated using multimodal AF imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Autofluorescence imaging with blue (BAF), green (GAF), and near-infrared (NIR-AF) excitation wavelengths obtained by a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope was compared with AF imaging obtained by an innovative confocal light-emitting diode-based retinal imaging system (Color-AF) that allows for separation of short (green emission fluorescent component) and long (red emission fluorescent component) autofluorescence emission components. Results: Color-AF, BAF, and GAF, overall, revealed similar presentation of hyperautofluorescent flecks. Flecks that showed predominantly red emission fluorescent component matched with hyperautofluorescent flecks in NIR-AF. Over the observation time of 5 to 14 months, flecks showed a transition in the AF emission spectrum to shorter wavelengths (red emission fluorescent component to green emission fluorescent component), associated with a progressed disruption of overlaying outer retinal bands in optical coherence tomography. Newer hyperautofluorescent flecks usually revealed predominantly red emission fluorescent component. Conclusion: By separation of the AF spectra, the remodeling of fluorophores and associated structural changes can be monitored over time indicating a novel and susceptible surrogate marker for disease progression and potential therapeutic effects. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.Comprehensive evaluation of fundus autofluorescence excitation and emission spectra provides differentiated insights into the distribution of fluorophores in ABCA4 -related retinopathy, allowing for monitoring of pathognomonic fleck formation and maturation. Variation in fleck presentation indicates a novel and susceptible surrogate marker for disease progression and potential therapeutic effects.