Autofluorescence images are taken with a special camera.
These images are not commonly taken in standard retinal practices but are likely to be of great help in the future, especially in patients with age-related macular degeneration.These pictures show up problems with the retinal pigment epithelium, sometimes before they can be seen on examination. Many research projects looking at retinal diseases are basing the need for and choice of treatment on autofluorescence images.
As changes in autofluorescence occur slowly over many months to years, it is worthwhile to have baseline images taken, with which comparisons can be made later. Changes in patients’ autofluorescence images will be used in the future to help make decisions about treatment.