About this Research Topic

Background

There are a number of applications that utilise visible and near infrared light in helping to diagnose retinal diseases, starting from ophthalmoscopy, where the evaluation of retinal health and disease is based on reflected visible or near-infrared (NIR) light or fundus autofluorescence. Other advanced techniques include optical coherence tomography (OCT), optoretinography, and hyperspectral imaging of reflected light or fluorescence and/or detecting fluorescence lifetimes. Imaging fluorescence from exogenous fluorophores, such as fluorescein or indocyanine green (ICG) provides valuable information on the integrity of the blood-retina barrier and other retinal features. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms are being developed to allow for automatic analysis of the vast amounts of data obtained using these imaging techniques. While some of these techniques are well established, others are emerging as new tools aimed at acquiring additional information, which may provide diagnostic markers and/or predictors of progression of various retinal diseases.

Visible and NIR light is also employed for various therapeutic purposes. Short (millisecond), high intensity laser pulses are used for photocoagulation to seal leaky blood vessels or cause regression of the unwanted blood vessels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Lower energy (or sub-threshold) micro- and nanosecond laser pulses are used to produce selective damage to the RPE as in micropulse laser or selective retinal therapy in diabetic macular oedema and central serous chorioretinopathy. Photodynamic destruction of the neovascular membanes in nAMD or tumours utilises exogenous photosensitizers, oxygen and light. Photobiomodulation (PBM) uses red or NIR light to target endogenous chromophores to improve some aspects of health and function of the retina.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive overview on the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of visible and NIR light in retinal health and disease.

Topic Editor, Dr. Jennifer Hunter has a patent published related to imaging technology through the University of Rochester. No other potential conflicts of interests were declared by the Editorial Team.

Keywords: Fundus camera, Hyperspectral imaging, Retinal oximetry, Autofluorescence, Fluorescein angiography, Indocyanine angiography, Fluorescence lifetime imaging, Fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy, Hyperspectral imaging of fluorescence, Optoretinography

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