Emerging imaging technologies offer hope for inherited retinal disease management
A recent review highlights advancements in imaging technologies that could revolutionize inherited retinal disease (IRD) diagnostics and treatment. Researchers conducted a systematic analysis of studies on cutting-edge modalities, including adaptive optics, fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy, polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography, optoretinography, mitochondrial imaging, flavoprotein fluorescence imaging, and retinal oximetry.
These technologies enable detailed cellular-level imaging and functional assessments, with applications ranging from studying healthy eyes to identifying IRD-specific abnormalities. Although each modality presents unique challenges, such as data acquisition complexities and limited clinical integration, they collectively hold promise for earlier intervention and more precise therapeutic targeting.
Emerging techniques like adaptive optics and metabolic imaging could transform IRD management, offering improved diagnostic accuracy and better outcomes for patients.
Reference
Parameswarappa DC, Kulkarni A, Sahoo NK, et al. From Cellular to Metabolic: Advances in Imaging of Inherited Retinal Diseases. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;15(1):28. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15010028. PMID: 39795556; PMCID: PMC11720060.