Comparison of fundus autofluorescence between fundus camera and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope-based systems.
OBJECTIVE
To compare fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging via fundus camera (FC) and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO).


METHODS
FAF images were obtained with a digital FC (530 to 580 nm excitation) and a cSLO (488 nm excitation). Two authors evaluated correlation of autofluorescence pattern, atrophic lesion size, and image quality between the two devices.


RESULTS
In 120 eyes, the autofluorescence pattern correlated in 86% of lesions. By lesion subtype, correlation rates were 100% in hemorrhage, 97% in geographic atrophy, 82% in flecks, 75% in drusen, 70% in exudates, 67% in pigment epithelial detachment, 50% in fibrous scars, and 33% in macular hole. The mean lesion size in geographic atrophy was 4.57 ± 2.3 mm(2) via cSLO and 3.81 ± 1.94 mm(2) via FC (P < .0001). Image quality favored cSLO in 71 eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
FAF images were highly correlated between the FC and cSLO. Differences between the two devices revealed contrasts. Multiple image capture and confocal optics yielded higher image contrast with the cSLO, although acquisition and exposure time was longer.
Sung Pyo
SP
Park
Frank S
FS
Siringo
Noelle
N
Pensec
In Hwan
IH
Hong
Janet
J
Sparrow
Gaetano
G
Barile
Stephen H
SH
Tsang
Stanley
S
Chang
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*