Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Acta Ophthalmol. 2018 Aug;96(5):e549-e561. doi: 10.1111/aos.13602. Epub 2017 Nov 2.
Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non-invasive retinal imaging modality used in clinical practice to non-invasively map changes at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/photoreceptor complex and alterations of macular pigment distribution. This imaging method is based on the visualization of intrinsic fluorophores and may be easily and rapidly used in routine patient care. Excessive accumulation of lipofuscin granules in the lysosomal compartment of RPE cells represents a common downstream pathogenic pathway in various hereditary and complex retinal diseases. The clinical applications of FAF continue to expand. It is now an essential tool for evaluating macular dystrophies and various hereditary retinal disorders. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) may detect abnormalities beyond those detected on funduscopic examination, fluorescein angiography (FA) or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging is particularly helpful for differential diagnosis, detection and extent delineation of involved retinal areas, genotype-phenotype correlations and monitoring of changes overtime. Given its ease of use, non-invasive nature and value in characterizing retinal disease, FAF enjoys increasing clinical relevance. This review summarizes basic principles and FAF findings in various hereditary retinal diseases.
眼底自发荧光（FAF）是一种在临床实践中用于非侵入性地绘制视网膜色素上皮（RPE）/光感受器复合体水平变化和黄斑色素分布改变的视网膜成像方式。这种成像方法基于内源性荧光团的可视化，可在常规患者护理中轻松快速地使用。RPE 细胞溶酶体腔内脂褐素颗粒的过度积累代表了各种遗传性和复杂性视网膜疾病中的常见下游致病途径。FAF 的临床应用不断扩大。它现在是评估黄斑营养不良和各种遗传性视网膜疾病的重要工具。眼底自发荧光（FAF）可检测到眼底检查、荧光素血管造影（FA）或光学相干断层扫描（OCT）检测不到的异常。眼底自发荧光（FAF）成像对于鉴别诊断、受累视网膜区域的检测和范围划定、基因型-表型相关性以及随时间的变化监测特别有帮助。鉴于其易用性、非侵入性和对视网膜疾病特征的价值，FAF 在临床中的相关性日益增加。本综述总结了各种遗传性视网膜疾病的基本原理和 FAF 发现。
