Beschreibung:
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<jats:title>Purpose:</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Methods:</jats:title>
<jats:p>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 channels</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Results:</jats:title>
<jats:p>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, <jats:italic toggle="yes">P</jats:italic> < 0.001, long spectral channel 282 ± 64 ps, <jats:italic toggle="yes">P</jats:italic> < 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.</jats:p>
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<jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>
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