Slit-lamp based ocular fluorometry scanning

Abstract

The aim of this work is to develop and present new slit-lamp based instrumentation and methods to measure anterior segment ocular fluorescence with clinical significance, mainly in diabetic patients. With those measurements we have been able to quantify both endogenous and exogenous fluorescence (after systemic tracer administration, in the last case) and to detect alterations in Blood-Ocular Barriers (BOB) permeability. Increased vascular permeability in diabetes is one well accepted alteration affecting the whole vascular system. In the eye an alteration of both the Blood-Aqueous Barrier (BAB) and the Blood-Retinal Barrier (BRB) have been shown to be one of the earliest alterations occurring in diabetes. BAB is the main target of our study and both oral and intravenous tracer administration have been used. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.