Uveitis is a rare inflammatory eye disease, with posterior and panuveitis particularly having a poor prognosis and a long course of the disease. Healthcare professionals often find it challenging to diagnose and monitor this condition. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a quick and non-invasive imaging technique that can help with this. A review by researchers discusses how FAF can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of posterior uveitis and panuveitis.
Healthcare professionals often struggle with diagnosing and monitoring patients. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a quick and non-invasive imaging method that can help with this. A team of researchers from the University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, as well as experts from Berlin, Münster, and Mannheim, have put together a review on the use of FAF for diagnosing and monitoring posterior uveitis and panuveitis. Their findings have been published in the journal Biomolecules.
Uveitis is an uncommon inflammation of the choroid of the eye, which is located between the retina and the sclera. “Depending on theAnatomical structure that is inflamed is classified into different subtypes as anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis. According to Dr. Maximilian Wintergerst from the Eye Clinic at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the exact diagnosis of posterior uveitis and panuveitis can be difficult due to the various and sometimes very rare subtypes. Researchers from Bonn, Berlin, Münster, and Mannheim have conducted a review to demonstrate how fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging supports the diagnosis and monitoring of some forms of posterior uveitis. FAF provides important information.Indicators of inflammation activity
Fundus autofluorescence is a non-invasive technique used for imaging the fundus of the eye. According to Wintergerst, this method involves stimulating fluorophores in the eye tissue with light of a specific wavelength, causing them to emit light. By analyzing the distribution of these fluorophores, the intensity of the light signal, and resulting light patterns, valuable information about the underlying uveitis can be obtained. This can be particularly helpful in cases where the diagnosis is uncertain. Additionally, the autofluorescence signal can also indicate the current level of inflammation in certain forms of uveitis.uveitis. Dr. Matthias Mauschitz, Head of the Uveitis Clinic at the UKB, explains that brightly illuminated areas in the retina can indicate active inflammation, while darker areas may suggest inactive inflammation.
The impact of the wavelength
Dr. Mauschitz also notes that the autofluorescence signal from the retina and choroid can vary depending on the wavelength used. Different depths and areas can be imaged based on the excitation wavelength, impacting the results. This was highlighted in the researchers’ case series included in their review.The researchers compared the autofluorescence of various wavelengths and discovered that using a combination of different wavelengths can offer more insight into the nature of uveitis. Their study aims to emphasize the significance of autofluorescence imaging in certain types of uveitis and suggest new methods for future research, including the use of different wavelength autofluorescence imaging. “Fundus autofluorescence is crucial for diagnosing and tracking posterior uveitis,” the team explains.The article discusses the use of fundus autofluorescence as a valuable tool for detecting inflammatory activity in uveitis and panuveitis. This imaging technique has been found to provide important indications of flare-ups in certain subtypes of uveitis.
