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Questions surrounding fluorescein autofluorescence may explain limited use in U.S. retinal practices
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KOLOA, Hawaii — Fluorescein autofluorescence can play a role in the diagnosis of certain retinal pathologies, but the imaging modality also has important limitations that should be considered before investing in a machine, according to a speaker here.
 Alexander C. Walsh |
Changes in autofluorescence patterns provide pathognomonic diagnostic signs in several retinal diseases, most notably in retinal dystrophies, Alexander C. Walsh, MD, said at Retina 2010. Even in retinal diseases in which the role of fluorescein autofluorescence is less well defined, autofluorescence can add confirmatory diagnostic information and/or help explain vision loss.
However, fluorescein autofluorescence can yield inaccurate results due to media opacities, a patient's circadian rhythms and level of dark adaptation, Dr. Walsh, who was awarded the Speaker of the Day for Monday, said.
Although widely used in Europe, U.S.-based retinal practitioners have been slow to adopt fluorescein autofluorescence, Dr. Walsh said, which may be explained by the lack of quantitative data available from imaging. The two fluorescein autofluorescence modalities used predominantly in the United States function with different light sources and at different bandwidths and, therefore, excite different fluorophores; however, it is not known how these correlate to clinical relevance, Dr. Walsh said.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2011 will be held January 16-21, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Ka'anapali, Maui. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com.