RPE Autofluorescence

Abstract

Fundus autofluorescence is essentially determined by the fluorophores of the retinal pigment epithelium. The retinal pigment epithelium plays a crucial role in many retinal diseases. Metabolic processes of the RPE lead in a unique way to changes in autofluorescence, especially triggered by lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin. The examination of autofluorescence therefore extends the understanding of pathophysiology of diseases and disease progression. As a result of considerable technical advances, even single intracellular granules can be analysed in detail today. These techniques will become relevant for clinical examinations in the future.