Mitochondrial Retinal Imaging – What Do We Know So Far?

Abstract

Recent studies demonstrate the crucial role of mitochondria in retinal disease pathogenesis. Recently, a device was developed to non-invasively study retinal metabolic stress and measure retinal mitochondrial activity. Previous studies indicate that oxidized flavoproteins increase during metabolic stress and are a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction. This device measures oxidized flavoprotein fluorescence, which absorbs blue light and emits green autofluorescence. This review summarizes the biological rationale, technology advances, research findings, and future perspectives of mitochondrial retinal imaging.