No abstract

lifetimes measured with fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) are affected by age, but not by pigmentation or gender.

Purpose: Fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) shows characteristic patterns in macular telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel). This study investigates FLIO changes over time to better understand disease progression.Methods: Thirty-three patients with MacTel (age 60 ± 15 years) were followed at the Moran Eye Center with a prototype Heidelberg Engineering FLIO. The mean follow-up time was 19 ± 8 months (range 6-34 months). Fundus autofluorescence was excited at 473 nm, and FLIO lifetimes were recorded in in short (498-560 nm) and long (560-720 nm) spectral wavelengths channelsResults: Autofluorescence lifetimes imaging ophthalmoscopy lifetimes from the MacTel area prolonged significantly over time (subfield T1, baseline: short spectral channel 210 ± 54 ps, long spectral channel 269 ± 58 ps; follow-up: short spectral channel 225 ± 59 ps, P , 0.001, long spectral channel 282 ± 64 ps, P , 0.01). The average 12-months prolongation of FLIO lifetimes was 9 ps (short spectral channel) and 8 ps (long spectral channel). Autofluorescence lifetimes changes correlated positively with ellipsoid zone loss and negatively with changes in retinal thickness.Conclusion: Autofluorescence lifetimes in MacTel slowly prolong over time, and temporal patterns progress to full rings. Detailed knowledge about FLIO changes will aid in understanding disease development and progression.