ARVO
Rockville, MD – Researchers used a new imaging technique to take high quality color
photographs of the clinical stages of ocular inflammation in mice, and the technology could
help in the monitoring and treatment of diseases of the eye that may cause blindness.
The study, “The Clinical Time-Course of Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis Using
Topical Endoscopic Fundal Imaging with Histologic and Cellular Infiltrate Correlation,” was
published in the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology journal Investigative
Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2008 49: 5458-5465).
It featured the use of Topical Endoscopic Fundal Imaging (TEFI), a technique that uses an
endoscope with parallel illumination and observation channels connected to a digital
camera. TEFI was developed by Michel Paques, et al (see Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007
48: 2769-2774).
David Copland, BSc, MSc, and the team from the University of Bristol’s Academic Unit of
Ophthalmology monitored changes in the mice retina over time without distress to the
animals or the need for anesthesia.
“TEFI enhances our monitoring of clinical disease in a rapid and non-invasive fashion,” the
researchers reported. “It will aid in the design of experimental protocols according to clinical
observations.”
The study focused on a condition similar to human posterior uveitis, which can be difficult to
monitor using present techniques. TEFI allowed the researchers to see changes to the eye
that were previously undetectable.
The researchers wrote that TEFI can help monitor the effects of new ocular therapies, as
well as invasive procedures such as intravitreal or sub-retinal injections.
Though the method will be a helpful resource to improving detection, Copland’s team said
the technology should be used in conjunction with existing techniques for monitoring the
progression of eye diseases.
“Combined TEFI and histological methods enable the observation of clinical features and
severity of disease, but information regarding the dynamics, phenotype, function and
quantity of cellular traffic through the eye is only provided through detailed analysis of cell
populations present in the eye at various stages of disease progression.”
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ARVO is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include more than
12,500 eye and vision researchers from over 73 countries. The Association encourages and assists
research, training, publication and dissemination of knowledge in vision and ophthalmology. For more
information, visit www.arvo.org.
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