Uveitis is an inflammatory eye disease that can be divided into various subtypes based on the inflamed anatomical structure, including anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis. Diagnosis and monitoring, especially in cases of posterior and panuveitis, can be challenging due to the different and sometimes rare subtypes of the disease. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non-invasive imaging technique that can assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of uveitis. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn and the University of Bonn, along with experts from Berlin, Münster, and Mannheim, have published a review on how FAF can facilitate the diagnosis and monitoring of posterior uveitis and panuveitis in the journal Biomolecules.
FAF involves imaging the fundus of the eye using light of a specific wavelength to stimulate fluorophores in the eye tissue to emit light. The distribution of these fluorophores, the intensity of the light signal, and specific light patterns can provide valuable information about the underlying form of uveitis. In cases where the diagnosis is unclear, FAF can help in making the correct diagnosis. Additionally, the autofluorescence signal can also indicate the current state of inflammation in certain forms of uveitis; bright areas in the retina may suggest active inflammation, while darker areas could signify inactive inflammation. Dr. Matthias Mauschitz, Head of the Uveitis Clinic at the UKB, highlights the significance of FAF in providing insights into the inflammatory activity in uveitis.
The wavelength used in FAF imaging can significantly influence the results, with the autofluorescence signal from the retina and choroid varying depending on the excitation wavelength. Lesions can be imaged at different depths and areas based on the wavelength used. The researchers included a case series in their review to compare autofluorescence imaging at different wavelengths, finding that the combination of multiple wavelengths can offer additional information about the specific subtype of uveitis being evaluated. This underlines the importance of considering different wavelengths in FAF imaging for a comprehensive assessment of uveitis.
The research team aims to raise awareness about the utility of autofluorescence imaging in certain forms of uveitis and suggest new avenues for future research, such as exploring the combination of autofluorescence imaging at various wavelengths. FAF plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and monitoring of posterior uveitis and panuveitis, providing important insights into inflammatory activity in specific subtypes of the disease. Dr. Maximilian Wintergerst from the Eye Clinic at the UKB emphasizes the role of FAF in detecting flare-ups of inflammatory activity in uveitis cases. By leveraging the benefits of FAF imaging, healthcare professionals can improve their ability to diagnose and monitor uveitis, especially in challenging cases of posterior and panuveitis.
