gms | German Medical Science

Adaptive optics is an additive element to optical imaging systems that enables cellular resolution of the living human eye. To date it has been applied to most ophthalmic imaging techniques, especially in the case of AMD, to fundus cameras and scanning ophthalmoscopes. Most of the work has focused on understanding where photoreceptors exist in relation to areas of geographic atrophy and differential photoreceptor survival with regards to drusen types. New techniques of AOSLO imaging have now improved our ability to look into regions of degeneration and identify not only where waveguiding photoreceptor outer segments are presents, but also residual inner segments and RPE cells. Further developments are also looking to go beyond observations of retinal structure and towards testing retinal function in areas of health and disease. With these new AOSLO techniques, we are now able to identify RPE cell integrity, investigate Bruch’s Membrane permeability as well as test photoreceptor function. These new observations are sure to add new insights into our understanding of retinal structure and function in AMD. The focus of this talk will be outlining our current understanding of photoreceptor structure and function and investigate what the future may hold.