Abnormal fundus autofluorescence imaging

What it means

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a non-invasive retinal imaging modality used in clinical practice to provide a density map of lipofuscin, the predominant ocular fluorophore, in the retinal pigment epithelium. Autofluorescent patterns result from the complex interaction of fluorophores such a lipofuscin, which release an autofluorescent signal, and elements such as melanin and rhodopsin, which absorb the excitation beam and attenuate autofluorescence. Other structures such as retinal vessels and the crystalline lens may also influence autofluorescence through blocking and interference.

Fundus autofluorescence imagine is used for evaluating age related macular degeneration, macular dystrophies, retinitis pigmentosa, white dot syndromes, retinal drug toxicities, and various other retinal disorders.

Rare diseases that can present with this2

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category