title: [The microvasculature and microcirculation of the peri-macular capillary network. New diagnostic possibilities with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope].
abstract: The scanning laser technique makes it possible for the first time to perform objective measurements of blood flow velocities in retinal capillaries. This new technique allows for continuous recording of retinal pictures at high resolution. Only the quality of the optical media of the eye limits the resolution of the retinal image. Sequences with a sample frequency of up to 50 images/s can be stored using a digital recorder. In these digital sequences the moving blood stream in retinal capillaries is visible. Segments of high and low fluorescence can be observed moving through the capillary network of the perifoveal capillaries. The flow velocities of these segments can be measured objectively using image analysis. In addition, morphologic information about the perifoveal capillary bed can be obtained by this new technique. Determination of flow velocities and morphological parameters give an objective means of assessing oxygen supply to the macular tissue. Furthermore, the degree of changes in the perifoveal microcirculation may provide objective data for estimating the prognosis of diabetic or senile maculopathy. Further investigation is needed to examine the relationship between changes in perifoveal microcirculation and the development of macular edema in various diseases.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik, Medizinische Einrichtungen, RWTH, Aachen.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arend
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toonen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D012016:Reference Values; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation*
vernacular_title: Mikrostrombahn und Mikrozirkulation im perimakulären Kapillarnetz. Neue diagnostische Möglichkeiten mit dem Scanning-Laser-Ophthalmoskop.