FLIO Technique and Principles

Abstract

Retinal fluorophores can be characterized by specific excitation and emission wavelengths but also by distinctive fluorescence lifetimes. These fluorescence lifetimes are furthermore dependent on the local metabolic environment. A fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscope (FLIO) can be used to assess fluorescence lifetime characteristics of endogenous retinal fluorophores. The main parameter of FLIO is the mean fluorescence lifetime for every pixel within the image for a short and a long wavelength emission detection channel. Detailed specification of the individual decay parameters in general are provided in this chapter.